Development of a scale to measure perception of farmers about climate change

Abstract

Climate change is affecting food production and livelihood of farmers particularly those living in arid and semi-arid areas. Farmers of this region despite many weather-related uncertainties, continue to engage in farming. The consequences of climate change have not deterred them to defer farming. This intrigued researchers to understand how farmers perceive climate change. Perception is a complex phenomenon and it needs to be measured using a psychometric scale. Several scales available are intended to measure causes of climate change, effects of climate change or adaptation of farmers for climate change. A scale to measure farmers’ perception of climate change per se was not available. So a study was taken up to develop a scale to measure farmers’ perception of climate change in Khanapur (flood prone) and Savanur (drought prone) regions of Karnataka. Likert summated scaling technique was employed. Based on the operational definition of the construct-“perception of climate change” responses for 24 items belonging to 5 domains were obtained from 42 judges. Based on relevancy test, 20 items retained and 2 more items as suggested by judges were added. Responses for these 22 items were obtained from 60 farmers of non-study area. Criterion groups were formed to evaluate individual item and critical ratio was calculated using t-test. Ten statements with highest “t” value equal to or greater than 1.75 were selected and subjected to reliability analysis in study area by surveying 60 farmers. Correlation coefficient was 0.62 and r value after adjusting for scale was 0.77 which was significant at one per cent level indicating the high reliability of the instrument. Construct validity was established by finding the correlation coefficients of sub domains scores with total scores of the test. All the components considered were appropriate in measuring the perception of farmers about climate change. Final scale composed of 10 statements. The developed scale was administered to 260 farmers in a study area and found that 57 per cent of the farmers had medium level of perception of climate change. This scientifically developed scale can be used to measure the farmers’ perceptions about climate change beyond the study area.