Angga Dwiartama, a Food Researcher and Lecturer at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in addressing climate change impacts on rice production in Indonesia. Urging the government to move beyond the traditional "business as usual" mindset, Angga proposes three key recommendations for effective climate change adaptation in the rice agriculture sector. Firstly, he calls for the development of localized infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of aligning such infrastructure with the unique socio-ecological characteristics of each region. Departing from centralized agricultural production approaches, Angga advocates for resilient climate infrastructure within local socio-ecological systems, citing the successful example of supporting Bali's traditional Subak irrigation system.
Secondly, Angga stresses the significance of enhancing access to agricultural resources, particularly for small and part-time rice farmers vulnerable to economic and climatic shocks. To bolster food resilience, he suggests the government focus on reducing the vulnerability of these farmers by increasing access to essential resources such as land, water, and production facilities. Lastly, he underscores the importance of broader capacity building in rural communities, acknowledging them as pivotal to Indonesia's food production. Beyond agriculture, understanding various livelihood strategies and implementing best practices in climate change adaptation can fortify the resilience of rural communities against the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. Angga advocates for a proactive and holistic approach to ensure sustainable rice production in the face of evolving climate dynamics.
