Information needs and behaviour on climate change for sustainable farming among farmers

Abstract

As the main actors in the food supply, farmers’ knowledge regarding climate change and sustainable agriculture is essential. This study aims to identify farmers’ information needs, information use level and information-seeking behavior on climate change for sustainable agriculture. This research was conducted on three farmer groups in areas affected by Mount Merapi eruption and global climate change, namely Karya Muda and Sekar Dewani farmer groups in Mriyan Village, Tamansari District, and Margo Mulyo farmer group in Mundu Village, Tulung District, Klaten Regency. The data were collected purposively through structured interviews with 43 farmers from the groups. The analysis results of the Standardized Information Need Index (SINI) and Information Use Index (IUI) showed that information related to crop protection (SINI-96, 90), climate (SINI-92, 25), and commodity selling prices (SINI-89, 92) is the information most needed by farmers. The information sources mostly used by farmers were friends or neighbours (IUI-84), farmer groups (IUI-65) and mass media (IUI-49). The results concluded that farmers seek information on climate change and sustainable farming more actively from their fellow farmers and farmer groups. Therefore, to further support sustainable agriculture and deal with climate change, it is recommended to provide the information needed by farmers through such sources