Strategy Adaptation Farmer Paddy in Facing the Flood Rob in Village Market Seluma District, South Seluma Regency Seluma

Abstract

This study examines the adaptation strategies implemented by rice farmers in responding to recurrent tidal flooding in Pasar Seluma Village, South Seluma District, Seluma Regency, Indonesia. Increasing sea-level rise and climate variability have intensified the frequency and duration of tidal flooding, threatening agricultural productivity, household income, and local food security. Employing a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, documentation, and triangulation involving rice farmers, village officials, and agricultural extension officers selected through purposive sampling. The findings reveal that farmers primarily adapt by modifying planting schedules to avoid peak flooding periods. However, this traditional strategy has become increasingly ineffective due to the unpredictability and greater intensity of tidal inundation during 2024–2025. The study also identifies limited awareness and accessibility of flood- and salt-tolerant rice varieties, constraining farmers' capacity to implement technology-based adaptation. Institutional responses, including embankment construction, agricultural extension services, and training on alternative crops, have provided partial support but remain insufficient to address long-term climate risks. The research highlights that effective adaptation requires an integrated approach combining climate-resilient agricultural technologies, strengthened extension services, infrastructure development, community capacity building, and participatory governance involving local stakeholders. By providing empirical evidence from a vulnerable coastal farming community, this study contributes to the growing literature on climate change adaptation and offers practical policy recommendations for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of rice-based farming systems in coastal regions exposed to recurring tidal flooding.