Adaptive Capacity and Technology Adoption: Mediating Climate Change Sensitivity and Economic Well-being among Farmers in Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia

Nik Ahmad Sufian Burhan, Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril, Suryani Darham, Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah, Haliza Abdul Rahman, Shaufique Fahmi hmad Sidique, Samsul Farid Samsuddin, Nobaya Ahmad, Jasmin Arif Shah, Nurul Amiera Khalid, Abdul Rais Abdul Latiff, Liew Juneng and Fredolin Tangang

Published: 2026/03/01

Abstract

In recent decades, extreme climate events have increasingly affected the Kelantan River Basin (KRB), a major agricultural region in northeast Peninsular Malaysia. This study examines the effects of climate change sensitivity, defined in economic, political, cultural, and institutional dimensions, on farmers’ adaptive capacity and technology adoption, and assesses their mediating roles in influencing economic well-being. Data were collected using questionnaires distributed to 400 farmers in the KRB through convenience sampling and analysed using PLS-SEM. The results indicate that adaptive capacity, rather than technology adoption (β = −.09, p > .10), significantly improves farmers’ economic well-being (β = .67, p < .01). Economic sensitivity (β = .24, p < .01) positively influences adaptive capacity, while cultural sensitivity (β = −.25, p < .01) has a negative effect. Political and institutional sensitivities show no significant direct influence. Furthermore, adaptive capacity plays a significant mediating role in the relationships between economic and cultural sensitivities and economic well-being. In addition, all dimensions of climate change sensitivity, including economic (β = .23, p < .01), political (β = .13, p < .05), cultural (β = −.16, p < .01), and institutional sensitivity (β = .19, p < .01), significantly influence technology adoption; however, these effects are not translated into improved economic well-being. From a policy perspective, the findings indicate that strengthening farmers’ adaptive capacity is more critical than promoting technology adoption alone for improving economic well-being under climate change. Policies should therefore prioritise capacity-building interventions, including financial resilience, skills development, and access to adaptive support systems, alongside technology-oriented programmes.

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