Salinity Constraints for Small-Scale Agriculture and Impact on Adaptation in North Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

We investigated the perceived effects of salinity on farming practices, income, and challenges for crop production in Blang Nibong village in North Aceh, Indonesia. We surveyed 120 smallholder farmers chosen in consultation with local leaders considering their agricultural activities and salinity susceptibility. Farmers’ perceptions of major crop production constraints (e.g., salinity) and potential adaptation strategies were assessed using open and closed questions. The study revealed that farmers in the study region primarily grew rain-fed rice using traditional monoculture. Salinity was identified as the primary crop production constraint by all respondents, resulting in plant mortality, decreased soil health and water quality, limited plant growth, and low yields. Additionally, salinity has reduced the arable area (>0.5 ha), resulting in lower total production. The implications of the salinity were further corroborated by the low farmers’ income. In fact, farming activities are not contributing positively to farmers’ income as the results revealed off-farm activities (77%) as the main source of income. Based on the farmer’s current activities to overcome salinity problems on their farms, they were clustered into adaptive and non-adaptive farmers. The non-adaptive group prefers to convert their land to pasture (81%), whereas the adaptive group prefers to improve the irrigation system (77%).