Adaptation themes and strategies.

This study examines the lived experiences and adaptation strategies of small-scale farmers in the southwestern Brazilian Amazonian state of Rondônia, amidst escalating climate challenges. Through nine in-depth interviews, it uncovers the impact of unpredictable weather, increased temperatures, and shifting precipitation on agriculture and livelihoods. Participants, ranging from family farmers to agricultural collective members, detail shifts from traditional crop cultivation to more resilient practices like cattle ranching and dairy production. The narratives reveal a deep understanding of local climate volatility and its direct effects on water availability, crop viability, and livestock productivity. Farmers describe adaptation measures including new crop varieties, irrigation systems, and strategic land use to enhance biodiversity and mitigate climate change effects. Despite these adaptations, challenges like water scarcity, high input costs, and the need for technical assistance remain prominent. Farmers emphasize the need for stronger support systems, highlighting community solidarity, governmental aid, and access to sustainable technologies and education as essential for climate adaptation. They call for policies providing equitable resources and support, underscoring the importance of inclusive climate governance that acknowledges the unique vulnerabilities and contributions of Rondônia’s agricultural sector. This research contributes to understanding how climate change reshapes rural Amazonian communities, arguing that ongoing deforestation and climatic changes threaten regional agricultural stability. It advocates for targeted policy interventions to provide technical assistance for sustainable farming and climate adaptation, alongside mechanisms to support fair market pricing. These measures are essential for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of local farming communities amidst climate change.