Farmers’ adaptation strategies to mitigate climate impacts on cocoa production: experience from Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed cocoa farmers’ adaptation strategies for mitigating impacts of climate change on cocoa production in Osun State, Nigeria. It profiled socio-demographic features of cocoa farmers, examined impacts of climate change; determined utilisation of adaptation strategies and examined the barriers to their usage. Data were drawn from 120 cocoa farmers across the state using interview schedule. Appropriate statistical tools were employed to analyse the primary data collected. The findings showed that most of the cocoa farmers (87.5%) were male with a mean age of 54.1± 10.8years. All (100%) cocoa farmers indicated high awareness of climate change. The findings showed that climate change retarded growth of cocoa seedlings and reduced cocoa yield. Key adaptation strategies utilized were planting of shade trees and frequent spraying of cocoa with pesticides. Majority of the cocoa farmers indicated high level of usage of different climate change adaptation strategies. High cost of inputs and unpredictable weather were the major barriers limiting the usage of adaptation strategies. Age (r=-0.501) and years of engagement in farming (r=0.551) were significantly related to the utilization of adaptation strategies. The research concluded that cocoa farmers utilized multiple adaptation strategies at high level to mitigate impacts of climate change to enhance sustainable and optimum cocoa production in Nigeria.