Championing change: enhancing the green knowledge and skill capacities of tobacco farm workers for climate change adaptation and eco-management

Abstract Many tobacco farm workers struggle with limited knowledge of sustainable farming practices, making adopting eco-friendly methods difficult. This lack of awareness leaves them relying on outdated techniques, harming their livelihoods and the environment. Research highlights these challenges, stressing the need for better education and training to empower workers to increase the capabilities and skills of tobacco farm workers to manage land more sustainably. By improving their green knowledge and skills, tobacco farmers can become leaders in climate adaptation and ecological stewardship, ensuring a healthier future for themselves and the planet. The study examines these crucial areas to understand the hurdles, opportunities, and routes for enabling tobacco farm workers to become more ecologically responsible and resilient to climate change and other sustainability issues. The goal is to find ways to improve tobacco farm workers’ lives and protect their ecosystems. This study used mixed methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and descriptive methods. It occurred in Central Java’s Gatak District, Sukoharjo Regency. A simple random sample with 75 participants was selected as the respondents. Survey data will be analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and cross-tabulations. According to the study, tobacco farm workers struggle to implement sustainable agricultural methods due to lacking knowledge, information, and motivation. Education and training initiatives have also improved workers’ productivity, income, and efficiency by teaching them about natural resource conservation, integrated pest management, and sustainable farming. The training helped tobacco farm workers choose climate-resilient crop varieties, adopt eco-friendly methods, and manage agricultural waste sustainably.