Comparing the adaptive capacity of traditional irrigated rice fields farmers in urban and rural areas to climate change in Bali, Indonesia

The irrigated rice fields are multifunctional in sustainable development but are vulnerable to climate change. The current study is intended to analyze traditional irrigated rice field farmers’ adaptive capacity and formulate the strategies needed to strengthen it. The study was conducted in subaks located in Badung Regency, Bali’s urban and rural areas.The sample of the subak areas and the sample of the farmers were determined by multistage sampling.The data were obtained through a semi-structured and questionnaire-guided interview and were analyzed using the sequential explanatory mixed methods. Index-indicated numeric and local specific variables and dimensions measured the adaptive capacity of the farmers. The results of the study show that the adaptive capacity of the farmers in the rural area is better (high level) than that of the farmers in the urban area. The critical node of the adaptive capacity of the farmers in the rural area is situated on the economic and human dimensions. In contrast, the critical node of the adaptive capacity of the farmers in the urban area is situated in the cultural, social, human, and physical-natural dimensions. Five strategies and several activities relevant to what to do to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the farmers in each area are formulated. The commitment and role of the government as the policymakers, and the support from the other stakeholders, is crucial to strengthen the farmers’ adaptive capacity. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.