**3. Climate Change Adaptation**

It is recognised that adaptation activities can be specific to locations and context because of variability in the social and natural environment, climatic impacts, and socioeconomic and cultural conditions (Füssel and Klein 2006). For example, the spatial heterogeneity of climate change vulnerability and effects (IPCC 2022) is expected to lead to variation in adaptation activities. Different regions will have to adapt to the specific climate vulnerabilities and challenges that exist in that area. Climate change is expected to lead to varying degrees of precipitation across the African continent, with some areas projected to have more intense rainfall and others, less rainfall (Dunning et al. 2018). Additionally, within a specific geographical location, there may be variations in adaptation activity owing to differences in perception (Berkhout 2012). Farmers are sometimes challenged to develop novel means of adaptation. Moreover, non-traditional cultural measures may have been developed to adapt to climate change. The type and extent to which various adaptation measures are implemented, the underlying factors driving adaptation decision making, the lessons learnt, and the success achieved can provide policymakers with information on the practical experiences of the farming community.

The Ministry of Planning and Development (2019) recommends farmers in Trinidad and Tobago implement adaptation measures such as water management, land distribution and management, research and development, climate-sensitive farming systems, increased awareness, and communication. Based on the cost–benefit ratio, suggested high-priority adaptation measures include on-farm water storage, mainstreaming climate change issues into agricultural management and drip irrigation. In addition, crop diversification was recognised as a suitable adaptation measure (Hutchinson 2011). Eitzinger et al. (2015) also identified cassava, sweet potato, and yam as alternative crops that might be more resilient to the changing environmental conditions in Trinidad and Tobago. Climate monitoring was also suggested as a suitable adaptation measure. Climate monitoring can inform farmers of optimal planting times to maximise the possibility of having the best possible crop yield. Climate monitoring can also ensure farmers are not overexposed to harmful weather conditions that threaten their health and safety.
