Determination of Climate Change Adaptation Behavior of Wheat Producing Farmers; the Case of Çorum Province in Turkiye

Abstract

: Global climate change is a threat to Turkiye, especially in the agricultural sector. In recent years, the impact of climate change has been felt seriously in Çorum Province. The present study was carried out after it was observed that the average temperature in Çorum province, which was 10.8 °C in 1929-2019 period, rose up to 13.15 °C in 2020. The aim of the present study was to determine the factors that affect the climate change adaptation behavior of the farmers in Çorum, where 37% of the land is devoted to wheat production. A survey was conducted with 385 farmers in January and February, 2021. It was revealed that personal experience had a positive effect of 54% on adaptation behavior, 50% on risk perception and 81% on climate change beliefs. In addition, although belief in climate change had a 45% positive effect on risk perception, risk perception and beliefs had no significant effect on the adaptation behavior. As a result, raising the awareness of farmers about adaptation using agricultural extension services and personal experience teaching method before incurring economic loss is critical to reduce climate risks and to better adapt to climate change.