Perceived Effects of Climate Variability on Crop Production in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the perceived effects of climate variability on crop production and identified the adaptation strategies adopted by arable crop farmers towards climate variability in Ife North Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 120 randomly selected arable crop farmers using a structured interview schedule. Data analysis was carried out using both descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, mean, weighted mean score
(WMS) as well as correlation analysis for inferential. Results show that majority (77.5%) of the arable crop farmers were males, married (78.3%), had attempted primary education or more (90.8%), and of an average age of 41.8 years. The main effects of climate variability as perceived by the farmers included changes in weather patterns which make weather unpredictable and unreliable (WMS=4.08), increased crop pests and disease infestation (WMS=3.98), increased food costs (WMS=3.88) and late commencement of rainfall (WMS=3.83). The three most important climate coping strategies used were soil and water conservation (x̄=4.88), cover cropping (x̄=4.62), and planting of resistant varieties of crops (x̄=4.55). Results of correlation analysis show that socio-economic variables such as age (r=0.342), household size (r=0.343), years of residency(r=0.353) and length of farming experience(r=0.297) were significantly correlated with perceived effects of climate variability on crop production. In conclusion, most farmers perceived change in the weather pattern, increased crop pests and disease infestation, increase in food costs and late commencement of rainfall as effects of climate variability. It recommends that government at all levels should come up with programmes and policies that will educate or capacitate farmers with climate smart production technologies