Choice of climate risk adaptive measures in shrimp farming—A case study from the Mekong, Vietnam

Abstract

Extreme climate events challenge the livelihoods of shrimp farmers worldwide. A comprehensive analysis of farmers’ choices of adaptive measures is essential for developing approaches that can lessen the effects of these climate risks. This study presents the determinants that influence the choice of adaptive measures in response to two climate risks, drought, and irregular weather, using a survey of 437 shrimp farmers in the Vietnamese Mekong region and applying a multinomial logit model. Five adaptation choices identified include changing feeding schedules/stocking densities, changing water exchange schedules, water conservation, water treatments, and early harvesting. The results revealed that education, training, extension services, credit access, farm size, pond numbers, and the farmers’ perception of drought and irregular weather are the main factors influencing farmers’ choices of adaptive measures. Intensive and extensive farmers chose different adaptations to climate risks, with the former applying a variety of measures while the latter chose to change water exchange schedules. The conclusions bring policy implications concerning how to cope with climate risks.