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<p>This study examines farmers’ competencies and land use decisions in the context of climate change adaptation in the southern Lake Urmia Basin, a region experiencing severe environmental stress. While policy frameworks play an important role in climate adaptation, farmers’ responses are shaped by a combination of individual capacities and broader structural conditions. This study aims to assess key factors influencing land use decisions alongside farmers’ professional competencies related to climate adaptation. A quantitative case study approach was employed, based on primary data collected from 153 farmers using a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage cluster sampling design was applied, and the research instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha &gt; 0.7) in a pilot study. Factor analysis was used to identify major influencing factors, while the Borich Needs Assessment Model was applied to evaluate competency gaps. The results indicate that farmers adopt a range of adaptation behaviors, among which increased use of chemical pesticides, cultivation of shorter-duration crops, and a shift toward animal husbandry are most prevalent. The findings also reveal six categories of influencing factors, including economic, institutional, climate-related, environmental, behavioral, and educational dimensions. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in competency levels between farmers who changed land use and those who did not, suggesting that competencies alone do not directly determine land use decisions. The study highlights that while farmers’ competencies are important for adaptation, they function within broader structural constraints that shape decision-making processes. Importantly, the widespread reliance on pesticide use is identified as a maladaptive response, reflecting a trade-off between short-term risk management and long-term environmental sustainability. These findings contribute to the understanding of agricultural adaptation by emphasizing the need for integrated policy approaches that combine capacity-building with institutional and economic support. The results provide practical insights for policymakers and agricultural extension systems to design targeted, context-sensitive interventions for climate-resilient land management.</p>

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Assessing farmers’ competencies and land use decisions for climate adaptation in the Lake Urmia Basin, Iran

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Latif Mohammadzadeh,
  • Gül Özerol,
  • Mansour Ghanian

摘要

This study examines farmers’ competencies and land use decisions in the context of climate change adaptation in the southern Lake Urmia Basin, a region experiencing severe environmental stress. While policy frameworks play an important role in climate adaptation, farmers’ responses are shaped by a combination of individual capacities and broader structural conditions. This study aims to assess key factors influencing land use decisions alongside farmers’ professional competencies related to climate adaptation. A quantitative case study approach was employed, based on primary data collected from 153 farmers using a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage cluster sampling design was applied, and the research instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.7) in a pilot study. Factor analysis was used to identify major influencing factors, while the Borich Needs Assessment Model was applied to evaluate competency gaps. The results indicate that farmers adopt a range of adaptation behaviors, among which increased use of chemical pesticides, cultivation of shorter-duration crops, and a shift toward animal husbandry are most prevalent. The findings also reveal six categories of influencing factors, including economic, institutional, climate-related, environmental, behavioral, and educational dimensions. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in competency levels between farmers who changed land use and those who did not, suggesting that competencies alone do not directly determine land use decisions. The study highlights that while farmers’ competencies are important for adaptation, they function within broader structural constraints that shape decision-making processes. Importantly, the widespread reliance on pesticide use is identified as a maladaptive response, reflecting a trade-off between short-term risk management and long-term environmental sustainability. These findings contribute to the understanding of agricultural adaptation by emphasizing the need for integrated policy approaches that combine capacity-building with institutional and economic support. The results provide practical insights for policymakers and agricultural extension systems to design targeted, context-sensitive interventions for climate-resilient land management.