Farmers’ Knowledge and Adaptive Strategies in Response to Weather Forecast Information in Agriculture: Enhancing Resilience and Productivity

Abstract

Understanding weather forecast information and adaptive strategies is crucial for making informed decisions to protect crops. This study sought to assess farmers’ knowledge and adaptive strategies in response to weather forecast information in agriculture. A sample of 120 farmers was selected from two villages in Sundarganj Upazila, Gaibandha District, using a multi-stage random sampling method. Data were collected through personal interviews in May 2025 using a structured interview schedule. Farmers’ knowledge was measured through questions developed according to levels of cognitive domain for assessing knowledge, as postulated by Bloom and revised by Anderson and Krathwohl. Pearson’s correlation (r) was used to test the relationship, multiple linear regression (enter and stepwise) analysis was used to identify the explanatory factors influencing farmers’ knowledge of weather forecast information. A four-point rating scale was used to assess the importance of adaptive strategies. Among the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, the level of education, household farm size, farming experience, training received, credit received, sources of weather forecast information, access to ICT tools, exposure to climate shocks, and availability of social support showed significant and positive correlations with their knowledge. Regression analysis confirmed that a significant portion of the variation in farmers’ knowledge of weather forecast information was explained by their level of education, sources of weather forecast information, exposure to climate shocks, and availability of social support. Most farmers rated adaptive strategies as moderately important, such as increasing farm monitoring during periods of expected weather risks, adjusting crop planting dates based on seasonal forecasts, and storing seeds or food in preparation for forecasted extreme events. These factors should be considered when implementing steps and formulating policies to enhance agricultural decision-making and improve farmers’ responses to climatic variability through the timely provision of weather information.