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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 202559Climate Change Adaptation Strategies of Smallholder Farmers in Timor-LesteMarcolino E. F. E Brito and Maria F. Rola-Rubzen1Universidade Timor Loro Sa%u2019e, Timor-Leste2Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development at the UWA School of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia*Corresponding author:AbstractClimate change brings about changes in temperature caused by global warming. This phenomenon generates problems in various sectors, including the agricultural sphere. Adverse weather conditions can lead to a reduction in agricultural production and contribute to food insecurity. Hence, mitigation and adaptation strategies to climate change are crucial in tackling climate change-related problems. The purpose of the study was to examine climate change adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers in TimorLeste. In five villages of Manufahi and Manatuto, 465 farmer households were randomly selected, consisting of 176 adopters of Conservation Agriculture (CA) and 289 nonadopters. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, factor analysis, and descriptive analysis, were conducted to examine climate change adaptation strategies. The results indicated that both conservation agriculture (CA) farmers and non-CA farmers implemented various strategies to address climate variability. These strategies included reducing tillage, practicing zero tillage (ZT) maize, using crop residues as soil cover, planting early, laser land leveling, crop rotation, intercropping, reducing fertilizer use, utilizing manure, adopting new seed varieties, planting stress-tolerant crops and varieties, increasing seed rates, substituting crops, and diversifying crops and livestock. Conservation agriculture was identified as a crucial factor in adapting to climate change-related challenges. These findings provide valuable information to the Timorese government for developing better policies and to agricultural practitioners for effective adaptation to climate change. Keywords: Conservation agriculture, climate change adaptation strategies and farm households