title: Farmers' Perceptions of Climate Variability and Factors Influencing Adaptation: Evidence from Anhui and Jiangsu, China.
abstract: Impacts of climate variability and climate change are on the rise in China posing great threat to agriculture and rural livelihoods. Consequently, China is undertaking research to find solutions of confronting climate change and variability. However, most studies of climate change and variability in China largely fail to address farmers' perceptions of climate variability and adaptation. Yet, without an understanding of farmers' perceptions, strategies are unlikely to be effective. We conducted questionnaire surveys of farmers in two farming regions, Yifeng, Jiangsu and Qinxi, Anhui achieving 280 and 293 responses, respectively. Additionally, we used climatological data to corroborate the farmers' perceptions of climate variability. We found that farmers' were aware of climate variability such that were consistent with climate records. However, perceived impacts of climate variability differed between the two regions and were influenced by farmers' characteristics. In addition, the vast majorities of farmers were yet to make adjustments in their farming practices as a result of numerous challenges. These challenges included socioeconomic and socio-cultural barriers. Results of logit modeling showed that farmers are more likely to adapt to climate variability if contact with extension services, frequency of seeking information, household heads' education, and climate variability perceptions are improved. These results suggest the need for policy makers to understand farmers' perceptions of climate variability and change in order to formulate policies that foster adaptation, and ultimately protect China's agricultural assets.
authors.affiliation: Center for Climate Change and Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing , 210095, China. kibuewanjiru@gmail.com.|Faculty of Environment and Resources Development, Egerton University, 536, Nakuru, Kenya. kibuewanjiru@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Grace Wanjiru
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Kibue
authors.affiliation: Center for Climate Change and Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing , 210095, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Center for Climate Change and Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing , 210095, China.
authors.forename: Jufeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Center for Climate Change and Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing , 210095, China.
authors.forename: Xuhui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Center for Climate Change and Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing , 210095, China.
authors.forename: Genxing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Center for Climate Change and Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing , 210095, China.
authors.forename: Lianqing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Center for Climate Change and Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, 1 Weigang, Nanjing , 210095, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D002681:China; D057231:Climate Change; D000067565:Farmers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Adaptation; Agriculture; China; Climate change and variability; Logit model