A Baseline Study of Autonomous Adaptation Against Drought Among Thai Rice Farmers, CURE

This study in general aims to look at the impacts of drought on rice production, assess risk/vulnerability, and determine adaptation strategies of rice farming households for better targeting of planned adaptation strategies. The emphasis would be on the possibility of rice varietal introduction as a planned adaptive strategy. It is guided by the following research questions: 1. Is drought a hazard farmers face in the study areas? 2. What are the possible impacts of drought in the selected study areas? 3. What factors determine household choice of adaptive and coping mechanisms during drought episodes? 4. How is household vulnerability to drought impacts using the concept of Vulnerability to Expected Poverty (VEP) measured? 5. What household characteristics (or types) are most vulnerable to drought impacts? Special reference will be made to gender related issues or aspects. 6. Does adaptive or coping mechanisms including social networks and the level of social capital, reduce the vulnerability of rice farming households?