Stabilization of Upland Agriculture under El Nino-Induced Climatic Risks: Regional and Farm Level Risk Management and Coping Mechanisms in the Kedah-Perlis Region, Malaysia

This study is an extension of the earlier study with a focus on the impact of the El Nino induced weather changes at the regional and farm levels. It provides a complete continuum of the impacts and implications of El Nino from the national to the regional and farm levels. Hence, the general objective of the study is to determine the impact of El Nino induced climate variability on agriculture at the sub-national and farm level, and to identify appropriate mechanisms to mitigate the impact so as to ensure the stability of the agricultural contribution to the regional and farm economy. In this study, the northwest region of Peninsular Malaysia was chosen as the region under study. It comprises of the states of Kedah and Perlis. The main climatic feature of the region is its distinctive two dry seasons and the resultant drought periods. The region is also an important agricultural and food producing area in the country and the agricultural sector is one of the important economic contributors to the region. As such, it is expected that El Nino induced climatic changes could result in significant impacts on the performance of the agricultural sector and the regional economy as a whole.