Exploring smallholder farmers’ climate adaptation decision-making in mountainous areas of Central Vietnam: implications for extension services

ABSTRACT Purpose To explore smallholder farmers’ decision-making for climate adaptation in the mountainous areas of Central Vietnam, in order to target extension efforts. Design/Methodology/Approach The study focussed on Thừa Thiên-Huế province, utilising commune meetings, key informant interviews and a survey of 302 households as data collection methods. Findings Smallholder farmers in the study region are undertaking short-term, reactionary adaption. In particular, ethnic minority farmers are not following a full range of steps in their decision-making, instead moving from the identification of climate impacts to implementing (other farmers’) actions at scale. Practical implications Short term adaptation and reliance on other farmers suggests that bonding social capital in the study sites is favourable but development of bridging and linking social capital through a greater network of agricultural advisory services could improve farmers’ perceptions of climate risk and subsequent adaptation strategies. Theoretical implications The study adds to the literature on farmers’ decision-making for climate adaptation. Specifically, it provides insight regarding extension programme design, based on data of farmers’ adaptation decision-making. Originality/value Much has been written on farmers’ adaptation to climate change. This paper focuses explicitly on the steps of that decision-making for the purpose of targeting extension programmes to support sustainable development.