Use of Promoted Adaptation Measures

Outcome

number or % of [specify the target group] who have in the past [specify the time period] correctly used the promoted adaptation measures

The indicator measures the extent to which the target group members correctly use the desired climate change adaptation measures (such as using drought-tolerant crops, construction of retention ditches, participating in early warning systems, using crop insurance, adopting rainwater harvesting systems, etc.). It is a key indicator of climate change adaptation interventions.

Determine the indicator's value by using the following methodology:

 

1) Make a list of the adaptation measures promoted by your project.

 

2) For each measure, specify what exactly it means to ‘correctly use the measure’: For example:

• Intercropping might mean combined sowing of the maize and haricot beans in rows with 40cm spacing to increase the content of soil nutrients and maize yields.

• Functional drainage might mean that a drainage feature is in place and effectively directs water away from the house.

At the same time, avoid using unnecessarily narrow definitions of the promoted measures, as each measure needs to be adapted to the local context. Note also that enumerators must be capable of judging whether the measure was used correctly.

 

3) For each measure, design interview questions that will help you determine 1) whether the respondent has used the measure and 2) if so, whether the measure was used correctly. Ensure that all questions are specific enough without leading the respondent to a particular answer.

For example, instead of asking directly: “Do you use intercropping?”, you can ask: "During the current or last agricultural season, what did you do to ensure that the soil has enough nutrients and your maize grows well? Instruct the enumerator to keep probing: “What else did you do?” If the respondent mentions intercropping, assess whether it was done correctly by asking, for example: “Can you please explain to me how exactly you used this measure?”

 

4) If you are assessing the usage of several adaptation measures, decide how many measures a respondent needs to use correctly in order to be considered ‘correctly using the promoted adaptation measures’ (e.g. whether it is sufficient that she uses at least one measure correctly or whether s/he needs to use, for example, at least 2 out of 3 promoted measures correctly).

 

5) Conduct interviews with a representative sample of the target group members. Ensure that the sample adequately represents the target population. For example, if the population includes women and men, younger and older people, and other relevant subgroups, make sure the subgroups are adequately represented in the sample (for instance, avoid interviewing only heads of households). Assess:

• Whether the given measure is relevant to them (e.g. it does not make sense to ask a farmer who did not grow maize whether s/he used intercropping of maize with beans)

• If so, whether the respondent used the measure

• If so, whether the respondent used the measure correctly

 

6) To calculate the indicator’s value:

• If you report in number, count the number of people for whom the promoted measures are relevant and who use them correctly.

• If you report in percentages, divide this number by the total number of people for whom the measures are relevant. Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

Disaggregate the data by gender, age group, location, and other criteria relevant to the context and focus of your intervention.

1) It is recommended that you ask respondents who do not use the promoted measures why they do not use them (that is, what discourages or prevents their use). It is equally useful to ask those who do use the measures why they practice them, as understanding key motivators can support further promotion. In both cases, analyse responses by relevant subgroups to systematically assess whether different groups face distinct barriers (for example, gender norms, time burden, land access, or physical limitations) and benefit from different enablers (for example, family support, incentives, or community endorsement).

 

2) Ensure that the enumerators have a good technical understanding of the promoted measures; otherwise they will not be able to conclude whether a respondent has used the measure correctly or not. Assess correct use against a small number of clear, easy-to-understand criteria.

3) Self-reported use may be affected by desirability bias. Where relevant and possible, consider doing spot checks to validate responses.

4) Lower levels of use among certain groups (e.g. renters, informal settlers, landless households) may reflect structural constraints rather than lack of awareness or motivation. These limitations should be documented and considered during analysis.

 

5) Even if a respondent (e.g. a farmer) used the promoted measure, they might have done so to a limited extent only (e.g. on a small portion of their land only). Therefore, consider also assessing the extent to which the measures were applied – for example, on how many hectares of land.