Adaptive and risk-sharing strategies for sustainable rice farming in flood-prone coastal Central Java

Rice farming in flood-prone coastal areas faces increasing pressure from recurrent tidal flooding, land subsidence and saline intrusion, which threaten production stability and household livelihoods. This study examines how rice farming households in coastal Central Java respond to chronic flooding through a combination of on-farm adaptation strategies and risk sharing mechanisms. Using a mixed methods approach, the authors collected data from 200 rice farming households in Tugurejo (Semarang City) and Sayung (Demak Regency) through structured surveys, interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. Quantitative indicators of adaptation intensity and risk sharing reliance were complemented by qualitative analysis to capture everyday livelihood responses under persistent flood exposure. The results show that farmers primarily adopt reactive adaptation strategies focused on minimising losses rather than implementing anticipatory or technology-based measures. Informal and community-based risk-sharing mechanisms, particularly family support and collective action, play a central role in stabilising household livelihoods and coping with crop failure. These findings indicate that adaptation and risk-sharing function as complementary household responses to recurrent flooding, although persistent environmental pressures continue to constrain the long-term sustainability of rice farming. Strengthening the sustainability of coastal rice farming therefore requires integrated policy approaches that align flood-adaptive technologies, institutional support and formal risk management with existing community-based risk-sharing systems.