Development of a scale to measure the adaptability of farmers to climate change

Abstract

Climate change is a critical challenge for the agricultural sector, particularly in developing countries like India, where agriculture is highly sensitive to shifts in climate patterns. The ability of farmers to adapt to climate change is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity and ensuring food security. This study aimed to construct a scale to measure the adaptability of farmers to climate change, with a focus on the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Adaptability is conceptualized as the capacity of farmers to adjust their practices, both traditional and modern, to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Using the Likert summated ratings method, a comprehensive scale was developed through a systematic process of item collection, editing, and validation. Initially, 85 statements were collected from various sources, including literature and expert consultations. These were refined to 70 based on clarity and relevance, and further scrutinized by a panel of experts from agricultural universities and extension institutes. The final selection process, based on criteria such as relevancy percentage, mean relevancy weightage, and item analysis, resulted in 25 statements with high discriminative values. The scale was standardized by assessing its validity and reliability. Content validity was ensured through expert input, while reliability was tested using the split-half method, resulting in a reliability coefficient of 0.73, indicating high reliability. The final scale consists of 25 statements, grouped into six sub-dimensions: crop production, livestock production, economic aspects, communication behavior, resource availability, and innovative behavior. This scale provides a valuable tool for assessing farmers' adaptability to climate change, which is critical for developing targeted interventions and policies aimed at enhancing resilience in the agricultural sector. By understanding farmers' perceptions and adaptive capacities, stakeholders can better address the challenges posed by climate change and promote sustainable agricultural practices.