Determination of farmers' Adaptation Behavior to Water Scarcity

Agriculture and water resources are vulnerable to global climate change. Agricultural and farming practices should, therefore, adapt to the changing environment in order to avoid or to alleviate related risks. The aim of this study was determinate of farmers' adaptation behaviors in facing with the water scarcity by using the protection motivation theory and cognitive theory of stress model. Statistical population was farmers of Shoushtar Township in Khouzestan province. The sample size was determined and selected using the Bartlett table (n-251) and Random sampling. the present study collected data through a nationwide self-administered questionnaire. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts. The questionnaire’s internal reliability was investigated using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. All scales indicated a good-to excellent reliability index (0.6–0.88). The results of structural equation modeling analysis revealed that in protection motivation theory, the response efficacy, collective efficacy and response cost regarding climate change were significant predictors of adaptation behavior. Protection motivation theory can explain approximately 33%, of the variance in pro environmental behavior. The results of cognitive theory of stress analysis showed, demand appraisal, self-efficacy and collective efficacy have direct effect on Problem-focused Coping and coping has direct effect on adaptation. the explanatory power of this model explained 28% of the variance in adaptation behavior. Moreover, the results revealed that demand appraisal, self-efficacy and collective efficacy indirectly and significant relationship with adaptation.