Climate-smart agriculture can help California farmers

That's the key takeaway from a recent paper published by a team that included Leslie Roche, an associate professor of Cooperative Extension in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. The paper describes those challenges, how farmers are confronting them and what should come next.

The needs assessment sought to understand farmers' perceptions and experiences with climate change exposures; the risk management practices they currently use; and what tools and resources would assist them in making strategic decisions.

Of the farmers surveyed, roughly two-thirds agree climate change is happening and requires action. Even more said they are interested in learning more about the impacts of climate change on the agricultural industry. Most respondents said they experience greater climate change impacts on their farms today compared with 10 years ago.

Farmers were very concerned with water-related issues. Those in the San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast and Inland Empire areas were particularly worried about a reduction in the availability of groundwater. Farmers in the Inland Empire, Central Coast and Southern regions were very significantly concerned about increased drought severity. Farmers in the North Coast and Southern regions were concerned about increased damage to crops due to wildfire.

Closely related issues were related to temperature, including crop damage due to extreme heat.

Those who farm vegetables were more concerned about water availability for irrigation. Fruit farmers were more concerned about increased stress on their trees from lack of water and increased crop damage due to extreme heat.

Farmers adapting, but face barriers

"Climate Smart Agriculture: Assessing Needs and Perceptions of California's Farmers" was first-authored by Samuel Ikendi, academic coordinator, with Tapan Pathak, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in climate adaptation in agriculture, as a corresponding author, both based at UC Merced. The study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. It appeared in the open-access journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

Many respondents to the survey said they are implementing climate adaptation practices including managing water resources, maintaining soil health and making more use of renewable energy. They are seeking insurance and government help to pay for these adaptations and increase their agricultural resilience, the researchers wrote.

The farmers interviewed expressed interest in learning more about measures they might take to mitigate climate change. But they cited significant barriers to this work, including government regulations, high implementation cost, labor availability and cost, access to water and the availability of money to pay for it.

"Climate change is significantly altering California's highly diverse agricultural landscape, posing challenges such as increased water stress, heat stress and shifting growing seasons," Pathak said. "Climate-smart agriculture practices can alleviate some of those stresses."

But, he said, research and Extension efforts only have value if they lead to enhanced climate-informed decision-making at the local level.

"Assessing their level of knowledge, perception and needs will help in tailoring research and extension activities that are most relevant to farmers on the ground," Pathak said. "Results from this study could also provide important policy insights on financial incentives and technical assistance."