Smallholders Use of Weather Information as Smart Adaptation Strategy in the Savannah Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractWeather information is needed for smart decisions because uncertainties in weather phenomena are beyond capacity of smallholders for autonomous responses. The study analyzed determinants of farmers’ use of weather information as smart adaptation strategy. Arable crop farmers were sampled in the derived savannah agro-ecology area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Heckman probit model estimates show that gender and agricultural extension services were significant positive drivers of farmers’ access to weather information. Should weather information becomes an alternative adaptation strategy, access to credit was found as the major driver of farmers’ propensity to use weather information before taking climate smart agricultural decisions. Further results reveal that increasing knowledge of onset date, large farm size, and access to agricultural extension services significantly reduced farmers’ propensity to use improved weather information for smart decisions in the dry savannah area.