Perception, Determinants and Barriers for the Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Options among Nepalese Rice Farmers

Abstract

This paper estimates the perceptions, determinants and barriers regarding the adoption of climate change adaptation options among Nepalese rice farmers. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to source respondents for the study, and structured questionnaire techniques were used to collect data from 773 households across seven districts (3 from Terai and 4 from the hilly region of Nepal). A binomial logistic regression model was used to detangle the determinants for the adoption of climate change adaptation options among farmers. The results revealed that approximately 80.7% of the farmers perceived change in temperature, and 90% believed that there was a decrease in rainfall in the 30-year period. In total, 77% of farming households responded that rice production and yield has decreased due to such changes, which has forced them to adopt available adaptation options. This study found that 12 adaptation options have been mainly used by rice farmers, and among them, there has been an increasing use of chemical fertilizer, climate-smart rice verities, and changes in nursery date, which are the first three adoption options. Overall, 71% of farmers adopt such adaptation options to protect themselves from perceived risk. However, farmers are facing several barriers, such as capital inadequacy, high cost of agricultural inputs, poor adaptation information provided to farmers, inadequate access to credit facilities and inadequate awareness about adaptation regarding the adoption of such options. Binomial regression results revealed that several factors influence a farmer's choice in adaptation measures. Our findings suggest the need for greater investment to remove these barriers and institutional shortcomings and help to improve a rice farmer's wellbeing.

Adoption Practice of Climate Change Adaptation Options among Nepalese Rice Farmers: Role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

“…Normally, cross-sectional data analyses involve two problems i.e. heteroscedasticity in the error term and multicollinearity among explanatory variables [3] [7] [47]. The Collin test was performed to deal with the…”

“…A similar report shows that rice production in Asia could decline by 3.8% by the end of the 21st century and in Nepal, production of rice might drop by 4.2% by 2060 [9]. To cope with such possible negative impacts, adaptation can be one of the better options [3]. Given this background, it is necessary to examine the status of adaptation options in economic and social systems so as to help inform future actions.…”

“…Rice contributes significantly to food security. Its consumption in Nepal is 79.9 kg of milled rice per person per year [3] [7].…”

“…The concept of climate change adaptation-an adjustment to decrease the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change, has been popularized and is now widely accepted from grass root level to the policy level [2] [3]. Several studies have already been conducted to gauge climate change adaptation and its impact, consequences and remedies in sectors including agriculture and rice production from macro to micro level, as well as world to regional level.…”

Socio-Cultural and Economic Factors in Cross-Border Purchase: A Study of Customers’ Perspective in Sunauli-Nepal/India Border

“…Higher percentage in classification table values provides better fit of the model[37] 8. This study also used probit model to cross check the result received from logit model.…”