While some farming families benefit from better harvests and higher incomes, others are trapped in a downward spiral. Environmental geographer Jonas Appelt shows that climate change and changes in agriculture impact families in Southeast Asia very differently. Farmers who intensively cultivate rice, in particular, often see improvements in food security and health, while families dependent on cash crops like cassava and bananas become more vulnerable.
Appelt's research shows that not only the crop, but also other factors determine whether farming families advance or fall behind. Income from non-farm jobs and remittances sent by migrating family members can help break the cycle of poverty. At the same time, climate change increases uncertainty: lowland rice farmers are increasingly experiencing heat stress, while upland communities sometimes see new opportunities due to higher temperatures.
Therefore, Appelt emphasizes, it is crucial that policies take this inequality into account. It is not just about increasing production or income, but about strengthening land rights, supporting alternative employment, and equitably distributing opportunities. The findings are relevant not only for farmers themselves, but also for society as a whole, as they show how global developments directly impact local lives and food security.
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