Title: Climate change adaptation: a corrective policy framework in the Malaysian agricultural sector

Authors: Rulia Akhtar; Muhammad Mehedi Masud; Abu Hanifa Md. Noman; Nazneen Jabin; A.S.A. Ferdous Alam

Addresses: Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UACDS), Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Malaysia ' Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Department of Finance and Banking, Faculty of Business and Accountancy, University of Malaya, Malaysia ' Department of Economics, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh ' School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia

Abstract: A corrective policy framework is essential for sustainable agricultural management. In order to put in place a corrective policy framework, it is necessary to know the socio-economic context of local farmers and their perception of climate change. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to explore their socio-economic status and general perception of climate change and to examine its impact on adaptation practices. To achieve the research objectives, data were collected using survey questionnaires and analysed using statistical tools. The results show that most of the respondents are between the age of 31-45 years in the sample size, 45% has secondary education and 34% of the respondents' monthly income is between RM2,000-RM4,000. It has been found that approximately 76% of farmers had heard about climate change. The results also revealed that socio-economic characteristics such as education, income, type of farmer, attitudes and awareness were positive and highly significant. It is hoped that the findings of this study would be useful for policymakers in designing an appropriate policy framework to raise awareness of how to reduce the impact of climate change in the agricultural sector.

Keywords: climate change; agriculture; farmers' perceptions; attitudes; policy framework.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2019.103465

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2019 Vol.18 No.4, pp.338 - 352

Received: 14 May 2018
Accepted: 01 Dec 2018
Published online: 06 Nov 2019 *

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