Socio-Economic Determinants of Cocoyam Farmer’s Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed cocoyam farmers’ strategies for climate change adaptation in Southeast Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 384 respondents for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule and analysed using mean, frequency count, percentages and multinomial logit regression analysis. Findings showed that respondents were mainly women (67%), married (92%) and between the ages of 41 and 60 (52%) with a mean household size of six (6) persons. Mean number of years spent in school was 10 years. The majority (40%) earned monthly income of ₦20,000 and below. The average farming experience was 21 years with mixed cropping (71%) as the major cropping system while combination of livestock and crop production (48%) was the major farming activity done. Farm size was mainly one hectare and below (64%) which was accessed mainly through inheritance (76%) and farm labour sourced through hired labour (50%). Major crops cultivated was cassava followed by maize and yam. Major adaptation strategies used by the cocoyam farmers in the study area included increased use of organic manure (42%), frequent weeding (10%), application of indigenous knowledge (20%), use of information from extension agents (16%), use of fallowing (9%) and application of multiple cropping (3%). Choice of adaptation strategies used by cocoyam farmers was influenced by age, gender, location of farmer, monthly income and labour. Based on the result of the study, it was recommended that sex and location specific adaptation strategies that are within the financial status of the farmers should be emphasized.

Keywords: Farmers Adaptation Strategies; Climate Change; Gender.