A Farm-Level Exploration of the Factors Influencing Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Rice Farmers in Kerala, India

Based on primary data collected through a farm-level survey of 600 households of the major rice-producing districts in the identified agroclimatic zones of Kerala, India, the study employs a multivariate probit model to study the determinants of climate change adaptation strategies of rice farmers. The estimation of the correlation of error terms of selected climate adaptation strategies supports the suitability of multivariate probit model. The results of the model confirm that the farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies is significantly affected by factors such as age, gender, level of education, farm size, credit access, reliance on climate information, and access to agricultural extension services. The study further emphasizes the role of institutional factors through government policies such as improving accessibility to affordable credit and provision of reliable climate information, along with effective extension services that enhance the capabilities of farmers enabling them to adopt better climate change adaptation strategies.