Exploring farmer preference shaping in international agricultural climate change adaptation regimes

•Applies a three dimensional power framework to the international agricultural adaptation regime.•1st and 2nd dimensions fail to capture less visible power exercises that shape farmer preferences.•Proposes three replicable sources of third dimension preference shaping power.•Focuses on narratives of uncertainty, prevailing development rationalities, and systemic bias.•‘Power-over’ view contributes to improved attribution of responsibility for adaptation outcomes.