The study aimed at determining the adaptation strategies of traders of rice, vegetables, root crops, fish, poultry, and livestock under conditions of climate change as they relate to food security. To achieve the objectives of the study, key informants interview of barangay officials and 32 agricultural traders in the high elevation barangays of San Francisco and Bukal in the municipality of Nagcarlan; medium elevation barangays of Calumpang and Bungkol in the municipality of Liliw; and low elevation barangays of Patimbao and San Pablo Sur in the municipality of Sta. Cruz, as well as in the major public markets of Nagcarlan and Sta. Cruz all in the province of Laguna was done in 2014. Secondary data/information on agricultural production, ecological profile, recent typhoons and current climate change issues were likewise gathered from relevant government offices.
The key barangay officials and agricultural traders considered strong typhoons and floods as extreme events. Unforgettable extreme events were typhoons Ondoy in Sept. 2009, Santi in Oct. 2009, Milenyo in Sept. 2006 and Habagat in July 2012 as well as the floods (caused by typhoons Ondoy and Santi and Habagat) in some barangays of Sta. Cruz which lasted from less than a month to six months.
The buying and selling prices of rice, chicken, and pork do not change with or without extreme events. Market prices of vegetables, root crops, and fruits are generally much higher during extreme events. Although volume sold is much less, the profit per kilogram of these agricultural commodities is much higher during extreme events. Fish and shellfish are not sold in the barangay during extreme events. Apparently, the effects of extreme events do not vary that much by elevation except that vegetables are not available for sale only in the flooded barangay of San Pablo Sur during extreme events.
Among others, problems encountered by traders consisted of limited capital, delayed payment of buyers, high prices and price fluctuations, and spoilage of agricultural commodities, especially during rainy season. Adaptation strategies of traders during extreme events include resting for 2-3 days, decreasing or increasing the volume handled of commodities, not slaughtering pigs, and mixing frozen cuts of chicken with fresh ones.
Since market prices are generally higher during extreme events, it is recommended that these prices be monitored at the barangay level. Establishing a market information network and setting price ceilings for some commodities could help. It is also important that food security be ensured at all times. Some traders pointed out that there is a need for a “bagsakan” or trading center for agricultural commodities in the barangay; some hope to have their own stall in the market; others want loans with low-interest rate to increase their capital.
