Research on World Agricultural Economy

Prioritizing Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Tea-Producing Households: A SWOT–AHP Approach

Xinh Luong Ho

Faculty of Economics and Rural Development, Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen 24000, Vietnam

Ha Thi Thu Nguyen

Faculty of Marketing and Tourism, Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration, Thai Nguyen 24000, Vietnam

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v7i2.2691

Received: 2 September 2025 | Revised: 28 October 2025 | Accepted: 7 November 2025 | Published Online: 23 April 2026

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Abstract

Climate change poses significant threats to sustainable agricultural livelihoods, particularly in tea-growing regions such as Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. This study aims to identify and prioritize effective climate change adaptation strategies for tea-producing households. The integrated SWOT–AHP (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats – Analytic Hierarchy Process) approach enables a quantifiable and systematic evaluation of strategic elements, allowing for the determination of their relative importance and guiding the ranking of adaptation priorities. The research employed the integrated mixed-method approach, including semi-structured interviews with tea farmers and experts to explore their perceptions and local adaptation practices, and structured AHP interviews with experts to assign weights to SWOT factors, sub-factors, and proposed strategies. The results indicate that the top-ranked adaptation strategies, in descending order of importance, are: (1) promoting sustainable organic tea production and applying advanced technologies; (2) developing value-added processing, diversifying tea products, and experiential tourism; (3) enhancing community capacity and disaster response; and (4) establishing an insurance system and climate risk mitigation mechanisms. The study proposes several practical policy implications for local implementation, including providing technical and financial support for organic production and technology transfer, integrating climate adaptation into cooperative training, investing in value-added processing and tourism infrastructure, and piloting insurance schemes in high-risk areas. This integrated SWOT–AHP framework offers a practical and replicable tool for strategic adaptation planning, supporting sustainable development in tea-producing regions across northern Vietnam.

Keywords: Adaptation Strategy; Climate Change; Sustainable Agriculture; SWOT–AHP Method; Tea Productio

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