Mitigation and adaptation of local organization to achieve food security: Case of traditional irrigation system in Bali, Indonesia

Climate change has affected the agricultural sector, particularly the food crop cultivated on rice fields. Subak as a local farmers organization is always expected to have important role to to improve rice farming practices and increase its productivity. The changes of rainfall and rain patterns happened in Bali should be anticipated by the subak through the mitigation and adaptation efforts to prevent the failure of harvest, and ensure better production. The aims of this study were to describe subaks activities and its problem, and the adaptation and mitigation efforts for achieving food security. The study was purposively conducted in 14 subaks which obtained irrigation water from the Buleleng River, Bali Province. A total of 140 farmers were selected as samples by using non-proportional sampling technique. Primary data and secondary data were collected using survey, direct observation, and FGD. Data collected were analyzed by a qualitative descriptive method.

The results indicate that subaks have some problems, such as water availability, competition of water among the users, and rice field conversion. The efforts of adaptation and mitigation comprise the changes in cropping patterns and planting schedules, borrowing water between subak members, and forming a subaks federation to increase rice productivity and achieve food security programs. The government should provide useful weather information for farmers regarding water availability, make a digital map of forest, regulations, and law enforcement.