[Paper Review] Role of Information and ICTs as Determinants of Farmer's Adaptive Capacity to Climate Risk: An Empirical Study From Haryana, India

Priya Chetri, Upasna Sharma+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Aug 22, 2021

Agricultural Innovations and Practices19 references4 citations

TL;DR

This empirical study uses primary data from 463 farmers across six districts in Haryana, India, to examine how information and information and communication technologies (ICTs) enhance farmers' adaptive capacity to climate risks. Employing path analysis via the lavaan package in RStudio, the study finds that information directly boosts adaptive capacity, while the ICT ecosystem mediates access and usage, significantly improving resilience to climate shocks despite persistent digital access gaps among smallholders.

ABSTRACT

Using the primary data collected for 463 farmers in six districts of Haryana, India, the present study attempts to understand the constituents of farmer's adaptive capacity at local level and how it can be enhanced. We use path analysis technique using the lavaan package in RStudio to empirically test the role of information. We find that information is a direct and significant contributor to enhancing farmers' adaptive capacity. However, even with exponential growth in use of technology, particularly information and communication technologies (ICTs), small farmers still lack access to information which hinders their capacity to respond to weather and climate risks. Thus, understanding the mechanism that can facilitate exchange and use of information by the farming community more effectively is important. We take an ensemble view of ICTs operationalized using ICT ecosystem and find significant interlinkages between information, technology and the ICT ecosystem that facilitate learning and information exchange and therefore contribute to enhancing farmers' adaptive capacity and building resilience to climate shocks. We find that ICT ecosystem does facilitate access to information and also mediate the effect of farmer's capability and willingness to use ICTs for agricultural purposes. Development of sound ICT ecosystem is likely to help farmers to better respond to changing climate in the future.

Motivation & Objective

• To analyze the role of information and ICTs in enhancing farmers' adaptive capacity to climate risks in Haryana, India.
• To identify the structural and systemic factors—particularly the ICT ecosystem—that mediate information access and utilization among smallholder farmers.
• To assess the interplay between farmers’ capabilities, willingness to adopt ICTs, and their resulting adaptive capacity.
• To provide evidence-based insights for policy and development interventions aimed at strengthening climate resilience in rural agricultural communities.

Proposed method

• Primary data were collected from 463 farmers across six districts in Haryana, India, using structured surveys.
• Path analysis was applied using the lavaan package in RStudio to model causal relationships between variables.
• The study operationalized the ICT ecosystem as a composite construct to assess its mediating role in information access and use.
• The model tested direct and indirect effects of information, ICT adoption capability, and willingness on adaptive capacity.
• Variables were measured using validated scales for information access, ICT use, and adaptive capacity.
• Statistical significance and effect sizes were assessed to determine the strength and direction of relationships in the model.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How does access to information directly influence farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate risks in Haryana?
• RQ2 To what extent does the ICT ecosystem mediate the relationship between farmers’ capability/willingness to use ICTs and their adaptive capacity?
• RQ3 What role does the ICT ecosystem play in facilitating information exchange and learning among smallholder farmers?
• RQ4 How do disparities in ICT access affect the resilience of small farmers to climate shocks in the region?
• RQ5 What structural factors within the ICT ecosystem enhance or hinder effective information utilization for climate adaptation?

Key findings

• Information access is a direct and statistically significant contributor to enhancing farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate risks.
• The ICT ecosystem acts as a key mediator, improving access to information and amplifying the impact of farmers’ capabilities and willingness to use ICTs.
• Despite rapid technological growth, small farmers in Haryana still face significant barriers to accessing timely and relevant climate-related information.
• The study identifies strong interlinkages between information, technology, and the broader ICT ecosystem in fostering learning and adaptive behavior.
• Development of a robust ICT ecosystem is essential for improving climate resilience among smallholder farmers in rural India.
• Path analysis confirms that the ICT ecosystem significantly enhances adaptive capacity both directly and indirectly through improved information utilization.