Sustaining Climate Change Mitigation Initiatives for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries: An Assessment of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Strategies

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture, particularly to smallholder farmers under the agrarian reform program in the Philippines. This study assesses the effectiveness and sustainability of the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) climate change mitigation strategies as experienced by Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in selected municipalities of Nueva Ecija. Using a Likert-scale-based survey and interviews, the study evaluates DAR’s program reach, impact, and community responsiveness. Results indicate moderate awareness and accessibility of DAR climate initiatives, with strong support for improved training, infrastructure, and inter-agency collaboration. The findings highlight key gaps and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the sustainability of climate adaptation and mitigation for ARBs.