Farmers’ Cultural Biases and Adaptation Behavior towards Drought: A Case in Sistan Plain

Recent droughts have aroused extensive concerns on crop and food production in the world. Since agricultural sector is the leading water consumer in Iran and farmers are most vulnerable to drought, a correct understanding of farmers’ adaptation behavior towards drought can help policymakers develop proper drought-coping policies and strategies. The present study aimed to investigate farmers’ drought adaptation behavior and the effect of cultural biases on it among farmers in the Sistan Plain, Iran. A sample of ۳۶۱ farmers was taken by the multi-stage randomization technique. The measurement instrument was a questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and its reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha in a pilot study. The results showed that the worldview of the farmers had a significant effect on their attitude, social norms, and perceived behavioral control. Also, behavioral intention and perceived behavioral control had a significant positive effect on the farmers’ drought adaptation behavior. It is concluded that farmers’ worldviews may be involved in the process of drought adaptation behavior and can influence their attitude, social norms, and perceived behavior control directly, and their intention and behavior indirectly.

Keywords:

Cultural Theory , Drought-coping policies , Farmers’ worldview , Theory of Planned Behavior.