The agricultural sector faces increasing vulnerability to climate change, necessitating effective adaptation measures to maintain productivity and enhance system resilience. Despite this critical need, limited studies explore the factors influencing farmers’ adaptive responses within specific climatic zones. This study aimed to identify adaptation measures essential for agricultural sustainability in the three purposively selected Grama Niladari divisions (GNDs) known for their diverse crop varieties in the Maho Agrarian Zone, a region characterised by the Maha (Northeast Monsoon) and Yala (Southwest Monsoon) agricultural seasons. A mixed-methods descriptive research design, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group data, was employed. The findings reveal a highly experienced farming community: 34.9% of farmers have over 30 years of farming experience. A total of 96.7% of farmers reported noticing changes, including a shift in seasons (over 80%) and unpredictable rainfall patterns (53%). A vast majority (62.8%) of farmers lack access to agricultural insurance, leaving them financially exposed to crop losses. Furthermore, while younger and middle-aged groups demonstrated the highest awareness of climate-smart agriculture (CSA), there is a strong, consistent perception across all age groups that government and associated institutions are not providing sufficient support for adaptation efforts. The results offer actionable recommendations for empowering local planning authorities, optimising climate communication strategies, and prioritising the development of practical CSA training modules, ultimately synthesising local knowledge with expert insight to support global resilience-building initiatives.

This study examines the impacts of climate variability on agricultural livelihoods in Rambewa, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka, where paddies, cereals, vegetables, and fruits form a critical economic base. A mixed-methods design integrated climatic data analysis with a questionnaire survey of 100 farmers and 15 in-depth interviews conducted from March to July 2023. Quantitative data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis H and Mann–Whitney U tests, with Holt’s Relative Importance Index applied to rank perceived impacts. Annual Rainfall Anomaly Index calculations revealed pronounced inter-annual variability, with negative anomalies corresponding to drought years and positive anomalies to flood events. Qualitative insights, including oral histories, were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke’s framework. Farmers’ recognition of climate shifts was primarily experiential, with impacts differing by farming type. The findings highlight the importance of integrating indigenous ecological knowledge with climate-smart practices to strengthen agricultural extension services, improve water management, and enhance resilience to future climatic uncertainties.