The UNESCO-designated World Heritage “ricescapes” in South-East Asia face vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The ricescapes examined here are the Hungduan and Mayoyao ricescapes in Ifugao province in the Philippines, as well as the Jatiluwih ricescape in Bali Province, Indonesia.

These case studies emphasize the importance of strengthening the resilience of the communities that produce and sustain the ricescapes, ensuring that their cultural heritage—including food supply chains, cultivation systems, and rituals—remains intact in the long term.

These case studies specifically identify the climate risks and impacts on the Ifugao and Balinese ricescapes, recognize the intangible cultural heritage within those ricescapes, and examine the role of intangible assets in supporting the resilience of rice farming in the context of climate change. This includes the “transpersonal capacity” of rice farmers to be influenced by their encounters with the physical, social, and spiritual environments.

Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers found that (1) these ricescapes face climate risks from droughts and intense precipitation, leading to reduced yields; (2) community bonds and social capital through shared labour, cooperation and mutual support strengthen resilience in agricultural activities and (3) family, customary villages, relatives, neighbours and organized farming groups are the sources of intangible assets for coping with climate change pressures and sustaining traditional practices and community well-being.

The studies also indicate the importance of cultural and spiritual dimensions in fostering community cohesion and preserving indigenous rice farming traditions. The findings provide lessons for achieving rice farming resilience, including the necessity of (i) diverse coping strategies, (ii) community-based resilience efforts, (iii) a balance between formal and informal support mechanisms, (iv) adaptation and innovation in Indigenous rice farming, and (v) effective community leadership and governance structures, and harmonious alignment of local and national efforts in disaster response and preparedness.

The findings of the case studies led to nine recommendations for agricultural policies tailored to these ricescapes that will support the preservation of Indigenous rice farming traditions, foster sustainable agriculture and respond effectively to future challenges. These include (i) recognizing the significance of intangible assets, (ii) encouraging safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and climate action in Asia and the Pacific community-based projects that promote traditional knowledge and practices, (iii) facilitating knowledge exchange, (iv) empowering local institutions, (v) designing disaster preparedness plans, (vi) improving government support systems, (vii) promoting sustainable rice cultivation, (viii) investing in rural infrastructure and (ix) encouraging collaboration between stakeholders.