Rural Attitudes toward Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies (Case Study: Hirmand Villagers)

Knowledge and understanding of farmers and natives of a region about climate change and its effect. It will help a lot in making the right decisions about climate change adaptation approaches and strategies.. This research has been done by Descriptive - analytical method. The statistical population of this study consists of 16 villages with over 20 farmers (1034 households) that engaged in agricultural activities. Using the Cochran Formula, 363 households were selected as the sample population in the level of Signification of 0.5%. In order to achieve the desired goals, as well as documentary studies, a wide range of indicators were examined in three different categories: farmers' awareness of climate variability, negative impacts of climate variability and compatible, Strategies that are adapted to climate change were determined and in the framework of field studies (completed questionnaires and field surveys forms) were investigated. Spearman correlation coefficient and one sample T-test were used for data analysis in SPSS software. The findings of the study confirm that farmers in the region are aware of climate variability and have experienced its negative effects. From the respondents' point of view, the tendency of locals to find false jobs is a negative consequence of the effects of climate change, in which the farmers were unanimous. Contrary to their awareness of climate change adaptation strategies, but the livelihoods of the inhabitants of these areas are still dependent on irrigated agriculture and do not benefit from any resistant cultivation compatible with the arid, saline and low-water environment.