Perception of weather and seasonal drought forecasts and its impact on livelihood in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

This study investigates how households in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, perceive weather and seasonal drought forecasts, and the subsequent impact on their crop and livestock losses. Conducted in 2018 with 300 households, the research highlights that most respondents are low-income families with limited education, often relying on poultry sales during droughts. Despite the availability of forecast information, only a small percentage of households actually utilize it for livelihood management. Interestingly, the study found no direct correlation between forecast use and reduced crop losses. However, it significantly reveals that knowledge of drought forecasts does reduce livestock losses, particularly among higher-income groups in drought-prone areas. The findings underscore the critical need for enhanced, accessible forecast communication and the development of climate-smart agricultural strategies to bolster community livelihood resilience against ongoing drought challenges.

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