AN ASSESSMENT OF RURAL FARMERS' PERCEPTION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Agriculture is inherently sensitive to climate conditions and is among the most vulnerable sectors to risks and impacts of climate change. The applicability of adaptation strategies depends on the farmers' perception and level of awareness to climate change issues and its impacts. The aim of this paper is to assess the rural farmers' perception of and adaptation strategies to climate change in Katcha Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. Purposeful sampling technique was used in the selection of 400 rural farmer respondents. Farmers' perception and adaptation strategies to climate change were obtained by means of structured questionnaire administered to the sampled rural farmers. The results were summarized by means of frequencies and percentages and presented in tabular forms and charts. The study revealed that the rural farmers in the study area know much about climate change. Personal observation is the main source of information on climate change as shown on late onset of rains; agricultural drought and incidence of flood after rain. Common adaptation strategies in the study area include the use of crop varieties that are well acclimatised, planting of pest and disease resistant crop and use of irrigation system. The study concludes that the climatic characteristics of the study area affect crop production while adaptation strategies have significant contribution on crop production in the area. The study recommended that the research institutes should produce better adapted earlier maturing varieties of crops and other grains while the government subsidizes the seeds to the farmers. Furthermore, there should be adequate provision for irrigation, weather forecasting and other agricultural technological infrastructure, modern knowledge on climate change adaptation and strengthening of the extension services.