Adaptive capacity of farming household to drought as an impact of climate change in Central Lombok Regency

¹ Research Center for Environtment and Climate Change, University of Mataram, 83115, Majapahit Street 62, Selarapang District, Mataram, Indonesia.
² Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram, 83115, Majapahit Street 62, Selarapang District, Mataram, Indonesia.
³ Department of Social Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram, 83115, Majapahit Street 62, Selarapang District, Mataram, Indonesia.

^* Corresponding author: siskaitaselvia@unram.ac.id

Abstract

Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of drought events, significantly disrupting agricultural system and food security. This study assesses the adaptive capacity of farming households to drought impacts in Central Lombok Regency, Indonesia, one of the regions most affected by water scarcity. A sequential explanatory mixed-method approach was employed, integrating quantitative assessment through the Adaptive Capacity Index (ACI) and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with 111 respondents across five drought-prone sub-districts. The ACI incorporated five dimensions: human, social, economic. Cultural, and physical infrastructure. Result indicate that Pujut Sub-district demonstrates the highest adaptive capacity (ACI = 0.62, high category), driven by strong human resource development, social cohesion, and access to climate-related training programs such as Climate Field Schools. Meanwhile, Praya Barat shows the lowest ACI (0.27, low category), reflecting weak institutional networks and limited exposure to adaptation initiatives. Overall, social and cultural dimensions exhibited the strongest contributions to resilience, underscoring the significance of social capital and traditional values such as ‘besiru’ (cooperation) in sustaining adaptation practices.