Role of risk perception and climate change beliefs in adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices in Saudi Arabia

• Farmers’ adoption of sustainable agricultural practices investigated using a cross-sectional survey. • Ordered Probit Model used to determine factors that influence farmers’ adoption of sustainable farming practices. • Availability of veterinary and extension services significantly affect adoption of climate-resilient practices. • Medium-to-high level of risk perception and beliefs on climate change impacts significantly shape farmers’ decisions. The agricultural sector of Saudi Arabia is particularly susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change due to its prevailing climate and limited water resources. Without the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, farmers may suffer enormous losses. A field survey was conducted in the Madinah region with the aim of analysing the status and factors affecting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by farmers as well as their perspective about barriers to adaptation in the country. Data were collected with the help of face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire from 123 randomly selected farmers. Data were analysed using an ordered probit model. The findings reveal that approximately 50% of the crop and livestock producers have moderately adopted to climate change risks. Major factors that affect farmers’ adoption decisions include farmers’ age, education, farm size, farming type (except for livestock herders), extension linkages for crop farmers, availability of veterinary services for livestock farmers, moderate to high level of risk perception and climate change beliefs. A need for increased awareness about climate change vagaries, streamlining extension and veterinary services and promoting technical interventions such as drought- and disease-resistant crop varieties is warranted.