Smallholder oil palm farmers’ pro-adaptation behaviour under climate impact scenario: application of protection Motivation Theory

Persistent climate impacts in Malaysia pose severe difficulties for smallholder farmers, whose livelihoodsare primarily dependent on resources from agriculture. Adaptation policies are essential to adapt to the Motivation Theory (PMT) was applied to fill this gap as an underpinning for identifying the major contributing factor of farmers' adaptation behaviour to climate effects. A study of 382 smallholder farmers in the Malaysian peninsula was conducted using a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique, revealing that specific farmers were postponing protection actions in the face of serious continuous impact. A low tendency to adopt policies suitable for decreasing climate impacts has been noted. Partial least square (PLS) path design and Bayesian system analysis were used to reveal the responsiveness, perceived severity, cost of reaction, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, earnings, and social norms considerably affected the adaptation behaviour. The feeling of controlling climate effects on the farm can increase the adoption of protective measures. Hence, collaborative programmes need to be developed to support farmers, and foster feelings of control over climate change and its impacts.