The role of social and human capital on climate change adaptation in agricultural activities in Indonesia

Climate change poses increasing risks to smallholder agriculture, threatening food security in developing countries. This study examines how social and human capital shape farmers’ adaptation strategies in Karangpatihan Village, East Java Province, Indonesia. A structured household survey of 241 farmers conducted in 2023 was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results show that key dimensions of social capital—trust, norms, and networks—and human capital factors such as education and training significantly influence adaptation behaviours, explaining 24.9% of the observed variation. Interpersonal communication, religious participation, adherence to customary norms, and formal education are critical drivers of household-level adaptation. These findings highlight that strengthening farmer organizations, enhancing social cohesion, and expanding access to education are effective pathways for building rural resilience. The study provides novel empirical evidence from Indonesia on the combined role of social and human capital in shaping localized adaptation responses to climate change.