Workers knowledge and anticipation in reducing adverse impacts of climate change

Climate change has become a global environmental issue that impacts all sectors of life, including agriculture. This study aims to determine workers’ knowledge of climate change in Karang Anyar Village Hamlet VII A Beringin Sub-district and workers’ anticipation strategies in reducing the adverse effects of climate change. This study used a qualitative approach. Informants were selected based on the criteria of wet-rice workers who have been farming for ten years by implementing semi-organic farming. Data were collected through interview techniques and literature study. Data analysis was conducted using the descriptive analysis method. The study results showed that workers know about climate change limited to seeing natural signs. Adverse impacts of climate change include a decrease in rice productivity. Workers anticipate reducing the adverse impacts of climate change by using rice varieties that are resistant to climate change, reducing the use of chemical insecticides and vegetable pesticides, and implementing a sustainable agricultural system.


1.
Introduction Climate change has become a global environmental issue that occurs within 50 to 100 years.Based on BMKG data, Indonesia's average air temperature from 1991 to 2020 was 26.8°C and the average air temperature in 2022 was 27°C.Over a period of 40 years, the increase in air temperature amounted to 0.6°C with 2022 ranking 13th as the hottest year with an increase of 0.2°C [1].The Deli Serdang region is a tropical area that has a high level of rainfall because it is influenced by the convection process and the formation of hot rain clouds that are common in tropical areas [2].In the last 15 years, Deli Serdang experienced maximum rainfall in 2009 of 103 mm and in 2019 of 147 mm.While in 2020 and 2021, the maximum rainfall in the region was 102 mm [3].
Significant temperature changes certainly have an impact on all sectors of life, including agriculture.According to Ruminta et al. [4], wet-rice farming activities are highly dependent on stable weather conditions that can support crop production.Unfavorable changes in natural conditions can have a negative impact on wet-rice farming, such as changes in planting season and harvest time, changes in agricultural land area and harvest area, and a decrease in crop production and productivity.Another impact of significant temperature changes results in changes in environmental conditions that negatively affect plant growth and development.Non-optimal environmental conditions can disrupt plant growth and result in decreased production and quality of yields [5].It can also trigger the growth and development of plant pest organisms [6].The decrease in yields in Deli Serdang Regency was caused by around 1,107 hectares of rice that was ready to be harvested falling down due to strong winds accompanied by heavy rain [7].In addition, based on a statement to the Agriculture Office of Deli Serdang Regency, about 20 hectares of rice fields experienced a decline due to delays in rice growth so that the rice was porous.After further research, one of the causes of porous rice is the imbalance of soil nutrients with the highest percentage of Nitrogen elements and low potassium elements [8].In interviews conducted by researchers obtained information from informants that: "After two weeks of fertilizer, the disease was already visible, the roots did not rise.After the disease appeared, I asked myself if it was from the fertilizer.But if it's from fertilizer, why is it like this, when before fertilizer it looked good?" As the largest rice granary in North Sumatra, Deli Serdang Regency has a strategic and significant role in the regional economy due to its important agricultural sector.This area is one of the largest food producers in North Sumatra Province with an area of rice fields reaching 33,992 hectares [9].Therefore, workers must anticipate the unavoidable impacts of climate change, so as not to disrupt agricultural productivity and food supply for the community [10].Farmer anticipation is an effort to overcome risks associated with agricultural activities that include knowledge of environmental conditions, climate change, and other factors that affect agricultural productivity and farmer welfare [11].Workers then develop appropriate strategies and actions to reduce or avoid these risks.For this reason, the need for knowledge related to climate change and its impacts to be informed to workers, especially in Deli Serdang Regency.The goal is to improve food security and agricultural yields optimally, thus providing benefits to workers and society as a whole.The obstacles encountered in the field today are many workers who are elderly, less responsive to the use of technology, low education levels.As a result, they often only rely on local knowledge inherited from parents regarding things to do if there are certain natural signs.According to Amirat et al. [12], workers who have knowledge related to climate change will be able to act more actively to carry out various anticipatory efforts to reduce the impact of climate change that will occur.

2.
Method The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of workers about climate change in Karang Anyar Village Hamlet VII A Beringin District, Deli Serdang Regency.This study includes workers' knowledge of the signs of climate change and anticipatory efforts made by workers in reducing the adverse effects of climate change.The determination of the location was done deliberately with the consideration that in the first planting season in August last year a lot of rice in the sub-district fell down which was influenced by the weather.This research uses a qualitative approach using primary and secondary data sources.A qualitative approach is suitable for exploring the opinions of informants related to knowledge and anticipatory steps in reducing the impact of climate change [13].Informants were selected based on the criteria of wet-rice workers who have been farming for more than 10 years by implementing semi-organic farming.Data were collected through interview techniques and literature study.Data analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis method.

3.
Result and discussion

Workers' knowledge of climate change
Workers in Karang Anyar stated that they have witnessed significant weather changes over the past few years.They feel the impact caused by the climate change that has occurred.Based on interviews with several workers in Karang Anyar Village, almost all workers stated that climate change is a change in heat or rain.The impact they feel is not only on the difficulty of determining the planting schedule, but also has an unfavorable impact on health.Workers' knowledge of climate change is limited to seeing signs of nature.The rainy season is usually characterized by many plant-disrupting organisms (OPT) such as leafhoppers and caterpillars while the summer season is usually full of crabs.
Workers already have knowledge about climate change conditions, such as unpredictable changes in the rainy season and reduced rainfall.In addition, prolonged dry seasons can result in decreased production and crop failure.Rising earth temperatures can increase pest attacks and decrease water availability from irrigation [14].According to Amirat et al. [12] explained that only 20.29% of workers really understand the phenomenon of climate change thoroughly.Meanwhile, as many as 79.71% had never heard of the phenomenon of climate change, although they felt the impact of climate change.These results differ from previous research that workers' knowledge of climate change is in the high category with many workers stating that the current climate change has an adverse impact on paddy rice farming activities [15].
Workers' knowledge related to climate change can be associated with the level of education and age of workers.Based on the results of the 2018 Central Bureau of Statistics Inter-Census Agricultural Survey results contained in the Ministry of Agriculture's Strategic Plan 2020-2024 document, around 27.4% of the workforce in the agricultural sector is between 45-54 years old, followed by the 35-44 age group at 24.4%, and the 55-64 age group at 20.8%.Although the number of young workers in the agricultural sector is declining due to the declining interest of the younger generation in the sector, the proportion is still quite high.In terms of education, around 66.42% of the workforce in the agricultural sector have no more than primary school education, followed by 16.13% of junior secondary school graduates and 14.33% of senior secondary school graduates.It is also revealed by Nuraisah and Kusumo [6] that the average age of workers is above 35 years.Farmer education is highest at the high school level and dominant at the elementary level.Education is one of the effective strategies in improving the socio-economic welfare of the community.The higher the level of education obtained, the greater the opportunity to earn a greater income to meet family needs.So, it is important to invest in education to improve the quality of life of individuals and society as a whole.

Impact of climate change on agriculture
Climate change that occurs unpredictably for workers causes various adverse impacts for workers.Some of the impacts of climate change include: First, a decrease in rice productivity.Unstable rainfall patterns cause rice plants to experience vulnerability which results in decreased productivity and quality of rice yields.Based on the results of interviews obtained information that rain in the morning when the rice panicles begin to come out will cause the development of rice to be hampered.One farmer stated: "When the rice is about to come out, the grain is open, then the rain comes.The small seedlings (kentos) inside are waterlogged and become small".
Based on data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency related to rainfall in North Sumatra, it was recorded that from 2011 to 2015 the average amount of rainfall was 2,193.6 mm with 195 days of rain [16].High rainfall intensity can cause flooding.According to Amirat et al. [12] emphasized that the direct impact of flooding is not only soaking rice fields and settlements but also hampering human activities in general.Based on interviews with workers in the field, workers stated: "If we finish planting, and then it rains at night, we have to replant the next day or at least insert it.Plus, snails breed easily".
In addition to flooding, high rainfall accompanied by wind can cause rice to fall.One farmer stated:

"If the rice has started to fill up and then the rain comes, it easily falls down. If it's almost harvest time, it's okay, sometimes we just leave it alone. But if the harvest is still a long time away, we must tie it up, and the cost of tying it up is expensive. If the paddy is tied, the sunlight can't penetrate. The panicles also cannot be completely filled".
Based on these results, the impact of climate change causes damage to rice plants which results in lower rice productivity.In addition to the impact on the agricultural sector, flooding also has an impact on the economic sector.Workers must spend funds for the cost of replanting and tying up rice if it falls.In addition to rain, an increase in air temperature because of climate change can also adversely affect the agricultural sector.Based on BMKG temperature data in North Sumatra from 2011 to 2015, the average air temperature was 27°C with an average maximum temperature of 36°C [16].According to Peng et al. [17] every increase in air temperature 1°C can reduce rice production by 10%.However, IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1352/1/0120954 with the condition of the area irrigated by irrigation from the Ular River, Karang Anyar village has never experienced drought conditions.This was conveyed by a farmer that: "We have irrigation here, so we just have to be smart in controlling the water.In addition, there are workers who are water maintenance officers (P3A) who monitor the water needs in each village every planting season.We hope that the heat will come during the harvest season.But sometimes, during the harvest season, there is rain.That's what makes the quality of rice bad".
Second, pest attacks.Changes in air temperature are often proportional to the emergence of pest and disease problems that attack rice plants.This is because there are several pests or OTPs that come during certain weather conditions.This was stated by workers in Karang Anyar Village that; "When it rains, there are usually many caterpillars that make the rice leaves curl.Gold snails and grass thrive.In the summer, the bats usually come".
Workers who practice semi-organic farming explained that they are not so concerned about the presence of pest infestations because there are natural enemies such as spiders and birds that always eat pests.Semi-organic workers further explained: "That's why we rarely spray (pesticides).Because I feel sorry for those who eat the paddy, I feel sorry for the natural enemies.They are looking for food too, so it's like we are giving alms.Besides, not much rice is eaten.The price of pesticides is also expensive.As workers, we have to be good at calculating costs".
For semi-organic workers, pest attacks are less of a problem.If too much production costs are incurred while yields decline, this will result in a decrease in workers' income.This condition will make it difficult for workers to find capital for the next planting season and fulfill family needs.

Workers' anticipation in reducing adverse impacts of climate change
Using rice varieties that are resistant to climate change Indonesia is a region prone to climate change because it is located in the tropics, between the Asian and Australian Continents, between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.In addition, the topography of Indonesia has mountains, valleys, and more seas that add to the diversity of climatic conditions in Indonesia.So that global climate phenomena such as El Nino and La Nina also often occur in Indonesia [18].This certainly has an impact on all sectors of people's lives, including agriculture.
One of the impacts of climate change that often causes losses for workers is rice that falls before harvest.This is because the varieties used are not resistant to rapid changes in natural conditions.Therefore, workers need knowledge to choose varieties that are suitable for the weather conditions in a particular growing season.Because varieties of rice plants that are resistant to climate change are able to adapt to extreme weather conditions.Based on information from workers there are several types of rice varieties that are resistant to changes in weather conditions, workers stated that: "The F16 variety has a harder and thicker stem, with a standard height so when hit by the wind it is resistant, not easily collapsed".
Another farmer stated that: "The Maglena variety that I plant is resistant to this kind of weather (lots of rain) and that kind (lots of heat).In addition, Maglena is also resistant to pests and diseases.So I have planted it for two seasons.Usually there are many rats on my land, but when I plant Maglena it is rarely eaten by rats because the stems are hard.Although in terms of age it is a little longer than Ciherang".

Reduce the use of chemical insecticides and use vegetable pesticides
Pest or plant-disrupting organism (POD) control in rice still relies on the use of chemical insecticides.The continuous use of chemical insecticides can have a negative impact on the environment and soil.Based on information from workers, excessive use of insecticides can make the soil dry and rice plants porous.In addition, the price of insecticides sold in the market is too expensive and there is no subsidy for insecticides.An effective way to control pests or OTP is by using vegetable pesticides.Based on research conducted by the Agricultural Research and Development Agency in 2018, the use of corn plant leaf extract is effective to ward off pink moths (Sesamia inferens).Corn leaf extract is effective because corn leaves contain methyl eugenol essential oil.200 grams of dried corn leaf powder extracted into 2 liters of water can produce an extract concentration of 12.5%.Based on information from semiorganic workers, the use of vegetable pesticides is more effective in repelling pests.In addition, it is more environmentally friendly and can reduce farming costs.The vegetable pesticides made by semiorganic workers can be seen in Figure 1.Implementing sustainable agricultural practices Law No. 22 of 2019 on Sustainable Agricultural Cultivation Systems, which replaces Law No. 12 of 1992 on Plant Cultivation Systems, explains that the development of a sustainable development system must be applied to agriculture through an agricultural cultivation system.The purpose of implementing this system is to achieve food sovereignty while taking into account the carrying capacity of the ecosystem, mitigation, and adaptation to climate change.By implementing an advanced, efficient, resilient, and sustainable agricultural system, the goal of sustainable agricultural development can be achieved.Sustainable agriculture is defined as an agricultural system that utilizes resources optimally with the aim of producing optimal harvest products while maintaining the sustainability of the resources utilized.This agricultural system uses reasonable input facilities and costs, meets sustainable social, economic, and environmental standards, and uses renewable means of production, and ensures resource productivity can last for a long time [19].
One application of sustainable agriculture is the organic farming system, which focuses on the use of organic materials as fertilizers and pesticides.Organic farming emphasizes the preservation of natural resources to create ecosystem balance and increase long-term agricultural productivity [20].Based on information from workers in Karang Anyar Village, it is still difficult to implement a truly organic farming system.workers still use a little chemical fertilizer to help increase soil fertility.This is because the operational cost of using manure is too expensive.In addition, workers also explained that during high rainfall, snails will easily appear so to anticipate this, workers still use snail poison but at a low dose.For pests such as leafhoppers and caterpillars, workers only rely on natural enemies such as birds and spiders.

Conclusion
Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that wet-rice workers in Karang Anyar Village, Beringin Subdistrict, have knowledge of climate change limited to seeing natural signs.The impact of climate change that is often felt by workers is a decrease in rice productivity because high rainfall makes rice fall easily.Workers' anticipation strategies in reducing the adverse effects of climate change are using rice varieties that are resistant to climate change such as the F16 and maglena varieties, reducing the use of chemical insecticides and using vegetable pesticides, and implementing a sustainable agricultural system.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.(left) Plant-based pesticides made from garlic and basil leaves, (right) Plant-based pesticides made from galangal, lemongrass, maja fruit and garlic.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Spiders as natural enemies of pests.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. (left) The presence of protective plants around the rice field area, (right) Diversification of rice crops with chili peppers.