Listen to Villagers on Climate Change - Vulnerability Reduction Assessment (VRA)

29 Nov 2010

Report summary

Climate change can no longer be ignored. Even farmers in Teuk Krahom commune in Preah Vihear province and Bos Leav commune in Kratie province have seen notable changes in terms of the climate over the years. In Teuk Krahom commune farmers see themselves as very vulnerable to droughts; while in Bos Leav, the vulnerability stems from droughts, floods and storms. In Teuk Krahom commune, all the villages have noticed a definite increase in the frequency and length of droughts. Similarly in Bos Leav commune, despite being known as flood-prone areas, all villages within this commune have noticed an increase in the frequency of droughts. In general, floods seem to have stayed steady over 30 years and some farmers have even noticed declines in floods.

Farmers in both communes feel that CC is already affecting their livelihoods in the following main areas: Firstly, droughts and heat negatively impact on the animal health. Animals die because of the heat and diseases, which seem to increase during drought months. Secondly, farmers also see CC impacting negatively on rice yields. Water stress from the heat and droughts affect grain development resulting in low rice yields. The damage to rice also extends to other crops like vegetables grown in the area. Thirdly, droughts dry up the limited water resources, which in turn limit the ability to irrigate during droughts as well as dry season cultivation. In Bos Leav the impact of CC seems to be compounded by silting up of the lakes and dams from deforestation and subsequent soil erosion. Fourthly, human health is also being negatively affected by CC. Farmers noted that diseases like diarrhoea and stomach problems increase as water quality deteriorates in the dry season. Lastly, farmers in Bos Leav mentioned that storm also destroy dams, homes and roads. Farmers feel that animal health, human health, waters resources and crops yields will be most impacted if CC increases. They also see an increase in food insecurity and a decrease in in­come if CC increases.