Abstract: The study aims to conduct assessment of the vulnerability of cassava growing areas and adaptation strategies done by the community. Specifically, the study is intended to: a. determine the degree of exposure to climate change hazards of the cassava growing communities in Apayao; determine the biophysical and socioeconomic sensitivity to climate change of the cassava growing communities; determine the adaptive capacity of the cassava growing communities to climate change; and determine the vulnerability index and resilience of the cassava growing communities to climate change.The field survey was used with questionnaire, VA tool, observation, focus group discussion and secondary data analysis as data gathering tools. Results revealed that heavy rains, typhoon and the occurrence of pest are the most prevalence climate change hazard, Income sources from agriculture such as farming, backyard gardening and orchard are seen to be sensitive to the climate hazards. Technological adaptations of the cassava growing areas differ for different climate hazards. On typhoon, windbreaks using banana, betel nut and madre cacao and maintaining the existing trees as live fence and at the same time serve as windbreaks. Some farmers claimed de-topping the cassava when there is a typhoon.Ridge planting is done at the onset or rainy season. Weed is being controlled by manual weeding , application of herbicides, off-barring and hilling up.Vulnerability indices in the three barangays where the study conducted showed that respondents are vulnerable to heavy rains, typhoon and the occurrence of pest and moderately resilient to drought. In the light of the findings and conclusion, the following are forwarded as recommendation: Verify effectiveness of the technology adaptation used by farmers through experimentation; Develop IEC materials on the technology used by farmers related to Climate change for greater diffusion; Conduct other researches in other communities other than cassava.
Keywords: Cassava, Vulnerability Assessment, Climate Change, Technological adaptation.
Title: VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF CASSAVA GROWING AREAS IN APAYAO, PHILIPPINES
Author: Reymalyn C. Aman, Ronald O. Ocampo, Jonathan Bien C. Domingo, Mirasol L. Agpuldo
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
Research Publish Journals
