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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Construction and validation of a knowledge test on flood adaptation strategies among rice and wheat farmers

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14767
Submitted
29 March 2026
Published
01-07-2026

Abstract

Floods pose a persistent threat to agricultural productivity in flood-prone regions of India. The country experiences floods annually, with 12 % of its land (40 m ha) being flood prone. These events cause substantial soil erosion, extensive crop losses and livelihood disruptions for farmers. Therefore, effective adaptation strategies are crucial for minimising flood losses, sustaining livelihoods and building long-term resilience. However, knowledge gaps among farmers hinder their adoption. This study constructed and validated a standardised test to measure the knowledge level of the rice and wheat cultivators regarding floods and their structural as well as non-structural adaptation strategies. Following standard scale development procedures, 55 initial items were sourced from literature, expert consultations and pilot studies. Content validity was established through expert ratings with relevancy weightage (RW) > 0.75 and mean relevancy score (MRS) > 2.5. Item analysis of 60 flood-affected farmers from non-sampled villages of the Baleshwar district yielded difficulty indices (30–80 %), discrimination indices (0.25–0.55) and significant point-biserial correlations. The refined 37-item dichotomous test showed strong internal consistency, with a Kuder-Richardson formula 20 (KR-20) reliability coefficient of 0.805. The validated instrument provides a reliable tool for assessing knowledge levels, identifying extension needs and informing policy interventions in both Odisha and Bihar and was applied to 480 flood-affected farmers in the study locale. By bridging knowledge deficits, it supports sustainable flood management, improves farm resilience and contributes to food security in vulnerable agro-ecosystems. This methodology offers a replicable framework for similar climate adaptation research.

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