Weather information, farm-level climate adaptation and farmers' adaptive capacity: Examining the role of information and communication technologies

Abstract

Previous studies on farmers’ capacity to adapt to weather and climate variability tend to follow the resource endowment perspective and ignore the role of information. The paper examines farmers’ access to weather information as a resource and its relationship to the uptake of farm-level adaptation strategies while controlling other related variables. It also looks at information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide information to farmers. Four dimensions of ICTs are considered – physical access to ICT devices, farmer’s ability to use ICTs, farmer’s intent to use ICTs for productive purposes, and farmer’s presence in the social ecosystem pertaining to use of ICTs. Structural equation modelling analysis of 463 farmers highlighted the potential of information in facilitating the uptake of farm-level adaptation strategies. The information-adaptation link becomes even stronger with the moderation effect of the farmer’s social ecosystem pertaining to use of ICTs. Farmers’ abilities to use ICTs are vital in improving their access to weather information. Farmers’ intent to use ICTs for productive purposes positively correlates with their stronger presence in the social ecosystem pertaining to use of ICTs. While wealth is an essential determinant of farmers’ access to other resources, it is not directly associated with the uptake of farm-level adaptation strategies. The paper highlights ways to enhance farmers’ adaptive capacity through non-economic means and facilitate farm-level adaptation.