Exploring the Lived Experiences of Organic Farmers in Adapting to Climate Change: A Phenomenological Study
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Abstract
Climate change is a significant global challenge that affects agricultural practices, particularly for smallholder organic farmers who rely on ecological balance for crop production. While much research has focused on technical and economic adaptation strategies, less attention has been paid to the subjective experiences of farmers in responding to climate change. Despite extensive studies on adaptation, the psychosocial dimensions of these responses remain insufficiently explored. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating how organic farmers experience and interpret the impacts of climate change, utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Through in-depth interviews with 15 organic farmers, the research identified key themes of uncertainty, emotional resilience, and adaptive strategies. The findings reveal that emotional and cognitive responses, alongside community support, play a critical role in farmers’ climate adaptation, suggesting that psychosocial factors are as important as technical solutions. This study has important implications for policy-making, as it highlights the need for human-centered climate policies that consider the emotional and social aspects of adaptation. Additionally, the findings suggest that future research should explore these psychosocial factors in greater depth to inform long-term adaptation strategies.
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