Differences in climate change effects and adaptation strategies between male and female livestock entrepreneurs in Nsukka Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined differences in climate change effects and adaptation strategies between male and female livestock entrepreneurs in Nsukka Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. It was conducted using 80 randomly selected livestock entrepreneurs. Data were collected using interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Fifty percent of the respondents were female. Males sourced more climate-related livestock information than females; recording 29.6% difference in feed formulation information; which is the most differed. Females were more affected by climate change than males, with the difference more on disruption of animal heat period due to high temperature (male ?̅= 2.80; female ?̅=3.50; difference in mean{dm} = -0.70). Male entrepreneurs differed from females in the adaptation strategies used in combating climate change and also on their view on effectiveness of adaptation strategies. Females were more constrained than male in adapting to climate change; with the variance more on lack of information facilities (male ?̅= 2.28; female ?̅= 2.60; dm = - 0.32). Males and females differed in their effects and adaptation strategies to climate change. Hence, government and extension should step in to booster productivity by addressing climate-related bottle  neck faced by entrepreneurs in livestock production, especially those faced by female.

Keywords: Gender, livestock, climate change, livestock entrepreneurs