Perceptions of climate change and adaptation measures among wheat and barley producers

Objective: This study aims to assess producers' perceptions of climate change and identify the adaptation strategies adopted by them. Material and Methods: Stratified sampling was used to determine sample size, with the Neyman method used to allocate participants by strata, resulting in a total of 116 respondents. Analytical techniques including proportional distributions, chi-square tests and multiple correspondence analysis were used. Results: Results indicate an average producer age of 46 years, with 56.1% having attained high school or higher education, and an average farming experience of 22 years. The majority (90.5%) reported declining wheat/barley yields, attributing this trend predominantly to climate change effects, notably increased temperature (92.2%) and drought (95.7%), alongside decreased rainfall (100%) and water resources (95.7%). Forecasts suggest these trends will persist, with over 70% agreement. To address these challenges, most producers have adjusted autumn tilling dates (82.8%), fertilizer application (83.6%), sowing dates (88.8%), and wheat and barley harvesting schedules (69%). Conclusion: Awareness campaigns are recommended to improve the perception of producers and strengthen their adaptation to climate change risks. The study’s findings will provide policymakers with the insights needed to design and implement targeted training programs that address gaps in producers' perceptions and adaptation strategies.