Developing an instrument to measure adaptive capacity of farmers to climate change

Climate change has become one of the main determinants of agricultural productivity.Identifying the factors that contribute to adaptive capacities is particularly important as it allows comparing the relative adaptive capacities of settlement types with the impacts of climate change/climate variability so that policy makers can understand the capacity needs and prioritize actions during political interventions. Despite recent attempts to conceptualize and assess adaptive capacity at various levels, little research and analysis have been done on adaptive capacity, particularly at the household level, despite influential decisions affecting local and systemic vulnerability made at this level. Scientific knowledge, particularly on the dimensions of adaptive capacity, is not sufficiently developed. For this, the study was designed with the objective of developing an instrument to assess the adaptive capacity of farmers to climate change. Likert's summated rating technique was followed for the construction of adaptive capacity measuring tool. The instrument developed finally consisted of 26 statements. It will be very useful for researchers, academics and policy makers, and can also be used beyond the perspective of the study area with some modifications.