Knowledge, Perception and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change Among Farmers of Central State Nigeria

Abstract

<p>This study was designed to assess the knowledge, perception and adaptation strategies to climate change among farmers of central Nigeria. Multi-Stage sampling technique was used to source respondents for the study. Three out of the five local government areas (LGAs) were randomly selected in the study area. Five village communities were randomly selected from each of the five LGAs to give fifteen villages, while 10 farmers were also randomly selected from each village to give 150 respondents. Data collection was through an interview schedule. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentage and mean scores were used to achieve all the objectives of the study. Most of the respondents relied on radio as their major source of information on climate change. The perceived indicators of climate change by the respondents were excessive high temperatures, low and irregular rainfall pattern as well as low crop yields. Adaptation strategies used in the area included agroforestry practices, crop diversification, early maturing and disease/drought resistant varieties. The Major constraints to adaptation by the respondents were inadequate finance, poor infrastructures, unfavourable government/trade policies and poor technology. Extension agents in the study area should incorporate information on climate change in their extension messages.</p>