Impact of Coastal Hazards on Agricultural Lands in Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to assess the impact of climate-related coastal hazards on agricultural lands in Casiguran, Aurora. Specifically, it evaluates the direct and indirect effects of sea level rise, storm surges, and typhoons on coastal farming communities and provides insights for adaptive solutions. Study Design: The study employed a quantitative research approach using a survey-based assessment to gather data from farmers on the effects of coastal hazards on agriculture. The Garrett Ranking Method was used to analyze and prioritize the ranked impacts. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in 12 coastal barangays of Casiguran, Aurora. The data collection period spanned December 2, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Methodology: A total of 145 farmers were surveyed using stratified random sampling to ensure representation across different barangays. Farmers ranked the perceived direct and indirect impacts of coastal hazards on their agricultural practices. The collected responses were analyzed using the Garrett Ranking Method to determine the most critical challenges faced by coastal farmers. Results: Among the direct impacts, extreme climatic events had the highest mean score (66.14), followed by changes in soil pH (61.90), soil fertility decline (59.00), sedimentation (47.30), soil erosion (43.66), saltwater intrusion (39.19), and land use changes (33.05). For indirect impacts, variability in crop production was the most significant (64.94), followed by pests and diseases (61.07), rising farming costs (58.98), social impacts (56.51), water competition (40.85), market fluctuations (37.30), and farming practice changes (30.88). Conclusion: The study highlights the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impact of coastal hazards on agriculture. Addressing soil degradation requires sustainable management practices like organic amendments and crop rotation, while extreme climatic events necessitate climate-resilient infrastructure such as flood controls and improved irrigation and drainage channels. To tackle economic challenges, financial aid, crop insurance, and farmer training in adaptive techniques like saline-tolerant crops and agroforestry are essential. Integrating these solutions into local policies will enhance resilience and sustainability. Future research should utilize spatial analysis to map vulnerability hotspots and predict agricultural risks due to sea level rise and extreme weather events, providing a data-driven basis for more targeted adaptation strategies.