Abstract

 

This study analyses agricultural producers’ perceptions of climate-related hazards and their impacts on agricultural production across regions of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main objective is to identify dominant climatic stressors, examine regional differences in perceived impact intensity and damage experienced, and assess the role of selected farm characteristics in shaping these perceptions. Primary data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of agricultural producers operating under diverse agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions. Respondents assessed the intensity of major climate-related hazards and the damage experienced during the previous five years using ordinal scales. The analysis combined descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a Weighted Impact Index to enable a comparative regional assessment. The results indicated that drought and high temperatures were perceived as the most severe and damaging climate-related hazards across all regions, with particularly pronounced impacts reported in northern and north-western areas. Other hazards, including floods, hail, storms, frost, and snow, were generally perceived as having weaker and more localized effects, despite statistically significant regional differences. Although the awareness of climate change among agricultural producers was high, the adoption of adaptation and risk management measures remained limited. Perceptions of climate-related risks were primarily influenced by regional climatic conditions and economic exposure, with commercial farms reporting higher perceived impacts and damage. The findings highlighted substantial regional disparities in perceived climate risks and emphasized the importance of region-specific adaptation strategies in agricultural policy and practice.

 

Key words: Climate change perception; Agriculture; Climate-related hazards; Regional vulnerability; Republic of Srpska.