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The challenge of making climate adaptation profitable for farmers: evidence from Sri Lanka's rice sector

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2022

Antonio Scognamillo Open the ORCID record for Antonio Scognamillo [Opens in a new window] ,
Nicholas Sitko Open the ORCID record for Nicholas Sitko [Opens in a new window] ,
Sidath Bandara ,
Shantha Hewage ,
Thilani Munaweera  and
Jihae Kwon
Antonio Scognamillo*
Affiliation:
Agrifood Economics Division, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
Nicholas Sitko
Affiliation:
Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equity Division, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
Sidath Bandara
Affiliation:
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Shantha Hewage
Affiliation:
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Thilani Munaweera
Affiliation:
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Jihae Kwon
Affiliation:
Agrifood Economics Division, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: Antonio.Sognamillo@fao.org
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Abstract

Adapting agricultural systems to changes in seasonal precipitation is critical for the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. This paper presents evidence on the adoption drivers and the welfare impacts of agricultural strategies adopted by Sri Lankan rice farmers to adapt to low rainfall conditions. We estimate the causal impact of adopting different adaptive strategies across three different dimensions: (a) sensitivity to water stress, (b) household productivity, and (c) household livelihood conditions. The results highlight important trade-offs faced by farmers between reducing vulnerability to water stress and maximizing profitability and welfare outcomes. These findings are important for informing policies to support climate adaptation among smallholders, and to build and improve the climate resilience of Sri Lanka's rice sector.

Keywords

adaptive practicesagricultureclimate shocksproductivityriceSri Lanka

JEL classification

Q13: Agricultural Markets and Marketing • Cooperatives • Agribusiness O2: Development Planning and Policy Q15: Land Ownership and Tenure • Land Reform • Land Use • Irrigation • Agriculture and Environment Q18: Agricultural Policy • Food Policy N45: Asia including Middle East
Type
Research Article
Information
Environment and Development Economics , Volume 27 , Issue 5 , October 2022 , pp. 451 - 469
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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