Climate change increases temperature and precipitation variability globally, causing climate shocks such as droughts and floods, which negatively affect economic activities and quality of life. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly vulnerable to climate change, facing more risks of reduced agricultural productivity, food security crises, labor force losses, the spread of tropical diseases, and an increase in climate-induced refugees. Many LMICs rely heavily on agriculture for their economies, and farmers in LMICs have limited information and resources to respond to climate changes, which exacerbates the damage caused by climate change. This dynamic could intensify inequalities and undermine multiple dimensions of human well-being.
The Mekong River Basin, spanning six countries-Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China-is Asia’s largest trans-boundary river system. It provides agricultural, industrial, and domestic water resources to over 90 million people, including the Mekong Delta, one of the world’ most significant riceproducing regions. However, the basin is located in a monsoon climate zone, characterized by high annual rainfall variability. It is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with more frequent and severe climate disasters such as droughts, floods, and saline intrusion expected.
Given this context, the study aims to comprehensively examine the impacts of climate change in the Mekong River Basin, where high agricultural dependence and limited capacity magnify climate-related risks. Specifically, it investigates the determinants of farmers’ adoption of climate adaptation measures and evaluates the multidimensional impacts of these measures. This study seeks to identify effective adaptation strategies for farmers to address the global challenge of climate change and provide policy insights to enhance climate resilience in the agricultural sector, thereby supporting the development of international cooperation models.
The objectives of this research include: (1) Conducting interdisciplinary, evidence-based climate change research; (2) Strengthening research capacity in LMICs; (3) Developing and disseminating evidence-based climate change response strategies; (4) Identifying and proposing effective international development cooperation models for climate change adaptation. Through these efforts, the study aims to offer practical policy recommendations to farmers and policymakers in climate-vulnerable LMICs. To achieve this, the study focuses on three key research areas: The impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and variability, and the effectiveness of adaptation measures; The factors of farmers’ decision-making in adopting climate change adaptation measures; The effects of climate change adaptation measures on farmers’ quality of life.
The Mekong River Basin, spanning six countries-Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China-is Asia’s largest trans-boundary river system. It provides agricultural, industrial, and domestic water resources to over 90 million people, including the Mekong Delta, one of the world’ most significant riceproducing regions. However, the basin is located in a monsoon climate zone, characterized by high annual rainfall variability. It is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with more frequent and severe climate disasters such as droughts, floods, and saline intrusion expected.
Given this context, the study aims to comprehensively examine the impacts of climate change in the Mekong River Basin, where high agricultural dependence and limited capacity magnify climate-related risks. Specifically, it investigates the determinants of farmers’ adoption of climate adaptation measures and evaluates the multidimensional impacts of these measures. This study seeks to identify effective adaptation strategies for farmers to address the global challenge of climate change and provide policy insights to enhance climate resilience in the agricultural sector, thereby supporting the development of international cooperation models.
The objectives of this research include: (1) Conducting interdisciplinary, evidence-based climate change research; (2) Strengthening research capacity in LMICs; (3) Developing and disseminating evidence-based climate change response strategies; (4) Identifying and proposing effective international development cooperation models for climate change adaptation. Through these efforts, the study aims to offer practical policy recommendations to farmers and policymakers in climate-vulnerable LMICs. To achieve this, the study focuses on three key research areas: The impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and variability, and the effectiveness of adaptation measures; The factors of farmers’ decision-making in adopting climate change adaptation measures; The effects of climate change adaptation measures on farmers’ quality of life.