Thesis (BS Agribusiness Economics) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, May 2017

Climate change has been observed in the past and will likely to continue in the future. The research study investigated the factors that affect the choice of farm and non-farm level climate change adaptation strategies using household data from 153 smallholder mango farmers in Digos City, Davao del Sur. The analysis was complemented with an assessment on various climate shocks in the area, awareness level of the farmers, the choice of adaptation strategies adopted by the farmers, and the factors affecting adaptation. Statistics shows that more than half of the mango farmers in the area are highly aware of climate change. Smallholder mango farmers resort to transitioning to organic or sustainable farming, adopting soil conservation techniques, refraining from using contaminated water source, improving harvesting technique, and land holiday. Moreover, non-farm adaptation to climate change include raising livestock, selling livestock, shifting to wage employment, shifting to non-farm livelihood, and increasing family labor. Using multivariate probit analysis, the determinants of employing climate change adaptation strategies were sociodemographic characteristics, farm characteristics, access to credit, number of trainings and extensions and the presence of groundwater depletion, drought, pests and diseases, and livestock diseases and death for the last three years observed by the farmers. In the light of these findings, government policies, and strategic investment plans of both government and private institutions should ensure the provision of improved farmer education, affordable credit, and training and extension services to not only improve adaptation capabilities of smallholder mango farmers but also their productivity.