Department of Mass Communication, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Department of Mass Communication, Centre for Fundamental and Continuing Education, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
Department of Mass Communication, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Department of Mass Communication, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture, with gender dynamics playing a critical role in influencing adaptive behaviors. Despite this, there remains a notable gap in addressing gender-specific factors in climate change adherent behaviors within the agricultural sector, especially in the Asian Regions. Pakistan's agriculture, particularly in underdeveloped regions, is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Climate information is predominantly disseminated through vernacular media, which serves as a crucial tool for adaptation. To fill the gap in this tapestry, a study conducted in the district of Rahim Yar Khan in southern Punjab, Pakistan, proposes a conceptual framework grounded in existing theories and literature to examine agricultural adherence to climate information services (CIS) and highlight the potential of digital media in promoting climate-resilient behaviors among agricultural workers. To ensure the robustness of the results, a cross-sectional research design was employed, integrating a broad survey that traversed on a gender basis within this underdeveloped precinct. A probability sampling technique, specifically systematic random sampling, was utilized to gather responses from 200 respondents related to farming and yielding through a closed-ended questionnaire. The study found that over half of the participants, irrespective of gender, recognized climate change as a significant concern for agriculture. Notably, females exhibited a higher level of awareness compared to their male counterparts. Local media emerged as the primary source of climate information for both genders. Post-CIS exposure, notable behavioral changes were observed, underscoring the critical role of CIS in managing climate change risks. The findings highlight significant gender differences and stress the importance of gender-responsive approaches in delivering climate information services to ensure equitable engagement and effective management of climate change risks in agriculture. The research also suggests theoretical and social implications, along with practical recommendations for policy and practice.
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