Investigating the Determinants of Adoption of Innovation as a Strategy to Adaptation to Climate Change

New technologies are an important part of adaptation strategies used by rural households to cope with climate change impacts. The purpose of this survey is to examine the factors affecting on acceptance of adaptation innovation methods among farmers in  irrigated farming systems of Mamassani County of Fars province.

This study was an applied research conducted with survey method. The statistical population of this study was 4033 farmers, among them 351 farmers was selected based on the Krejcie and Morganchr('39')s table and using a random-quota sampling method. Data were collected through a questionnaire based on the conceptual model. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts and Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients indicated good-to-excellent reliability in the range of 0.70-0.78.

The results of logistic regression showed that the variables of farm size and intention to water conservation and perception of social risks of water scarcity are positively and significantly related to planting new drought-resistant crop practices. These variables can explain the 22 % of farmerschr('39') adaptation choices in water scarcity condition. The two variables of farm size and the intention to water conservation are important determinants in the adoption of new cropping as an adaptation measure. These variables predicted 23% of variance of acceptance innovation to adaptation. The perception of environmental risk of water scarcity, risk taking and knowledge about consequences of water scarcity had significant effects on adaptation. These predicted 33% of variance Pressurized Irrigation System.

According to the results, farmers have a high desire to protect water and information, risk perception and consequences of water scarcity are also high among them.