“Salome” As Farmers’ Effort To Face Climate Change In South Central Timor

Abstract

Most farmers in South Central Timor reside in mountainous regions and engage in agricultural activities. Agriculture is the primary driver of the community's economy and is essential for supporting farmers' livelihoods; however, improvements are necessary to address the challenges of uncertain climate change conditions. Climate instability is the primary factor contributing to challenges in farmers' livelihoods, which poses risks to economic resilience and the sustainability of agricultural regeneration. This study investigates the agricultural practices employed by farmers in South Central Timor in response to uncertain climate conditions. The qualitative approach employs case study methodology to elucidate the characteristics of the incident. The data collection process is conducted via interviews. Informants for interviews were chosen using purposive sampling techniques, which involve intentionally selecting participants based on specific criteria aligned with the research objectives. The interviews were subsequently analyzed utilizing QDA Miner 6 software. The findings indicate that farmers primarily respond to climate change through alterations in cropping patterns and diversification of income sources. This procedure is referred to as Salome. Farmers engage in Salome to generate income from agriculture despite the challenges posed by climate change. This study is confined to the practices employed by farmers in response to climate change. The social, cultural, and economic influences that underpin their practices in addressing climate change remain to be elucidated; thus, additional research is necessary to achieve comprehensive insights into the resilience of farmers' livelihoods in South Central Timor.