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Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp2 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Community-based climate adaptation strategies in agriculture

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.12923
Submitted
25 November 2025
Published
03-06-2026

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the sectors most severely affected by climate change, facing multiple weather-related risks that threaten livelihoods and food security. In response, community-based adaptation (CBA) has gained significant attention as an approach that leverages indigenous knowledge, local resources and participatory decision-making to strengthen resilience. The CBA in agriculture assumes that the experiential knowledge of farmers and the capacity building of climate-impacted communities are indispensable for designing effective adaptation strategies. Grounded in traditional practices and culturally aligned innovations, CBA ensures that adaptation responses are ecologically relevant, context-specific and sustainable. Key community-driven measures include the adoption of climate-resilient seeds, diversification of livelihoods beyond agriculture, sustainable water management and agroecological practices that enhance soil fertility and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. However, CBA implementation remains highly context-dependent, influenced by land use policies, governance systems, market linkages and farmers’ readiness to adopt new practices. Evidence highlights the critical roles of livelihood diversification, market participation and proactive planning in empowering communities to adapt to climate risks. Despite its potential, CBA faces persistent challenges, including limited financial resources, policy gaps, restricted institutional support and unequal access for marginalised groups such as women and smallholders. Strengthening CBA in agriculture requires supportive policies, investment in capacity development and strong partnerships among researchers, practitioners, governments and community organisations. As a bottom-up approach that enables local ownership and equity, CBA offers a transformative pathway toward sustainable climate resilience and long-term food security.

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