Promoting resilience in Cambodian lowland rice ecosystems—Farming system research to support flexible climate response strategies for smallholder farmers

•Modern rice varieties, increased mechanisation and improved agronomy increase cropping options, yield and income under variable seasonal conditions.•Basing land preparation and crop establishment on field water depth enables selection of the most appropriate crop response option.•Direct seeding reduces labour demand and provides opportunities for off-farm investment opportunities.•Responses to seasonal conditions in near real-time allows optimal management of cropping challenges and a flexibility in thinking in meeting the challenges of climate change.