Dairy Farmers’ Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies Towards The Effects of Climate Change in Southern Marmara Region of Turkey

Abstract

Aims: The study aims to determine dairy farmers' perceptions of climate-related risks, their adaptation strategies and factors affecting their decisions about adaptation strategies in Southern Marmara Region of Turkey. Material and methods: Data was collected from 379 dairy farmers by proportional sampling method. The survey was performed between October and December 2023. Descriptive statistics and probit model were used in the evaluation of the data. Results: Most dairy farmers (70.7%) had a high perception for heavy storms. Changing feed ration seasonally was the most widespread adaptation strategy employed by dairy farmers. It was followed by diversification of animal production activities, livestock insurance and diverseness of feed crops. Among these adaptation strategies, changing feed ration seasonally was the highest choosen adaptation strategy in the study area whereas the diverseness of feed crops was the least choosen adaptation strategy. The probit model results showed that the dairy farmers' age and household size had an adverse the impact on their decisions about all adaptation strategies. Discussion: These results of this study stated that most dairy farmers perceived the rise in temperatures and decline in rainfall as noticeable changes in climate. Few dairy farmers used advanced agricultural applications for dealing with the negative impacts of climatic change, and many dairy farmers continued use to simple adaptation measures. Conclusions:As a result, the present study findings can shed light to policy/decision makers in agricultural research, to practices regarding the climate change impact in dairy farming, and to further studies in the literature.