Farmers’ Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Cassava Production in Akoko South West Local Government Area, Ondo State

Abstract

This study focused on the effect of farmers’ climate change adaptation strategies on cassava production in Akoko South West Local Government Area, Ondo State. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were collected through a well-structured and validated questionnaire and analysed using percentages and mean statistics. Findings from the study revealed that the major climate change events noticed in the study area were high temperature (96.7%), high humidity (86.7%) and reduction in rainfall days (83.3%). Similarly, reduced use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides ( =2.50) and planting different cassava varieties ( =2.23) were the major adaptation strategies used by the cassava farmers. Farming experience (97.5%) and wealth (96.7%) were the major factors that determined farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies. Consequently, the respondents strongly agreed that their adaptation strategies have led to the timely harvest of their cassava, ( =4.53). Furthermore, a significant relationship existed between the adaptation strategies employed by the farmers and cassava production (r= 0.46, p<0.01). The study concluded that the adaptation strategies adopted by the farmers impacted cassava production. It was recommended that the climate adaptation strategies identified should be harnessed by relevant stakeholders to mitigate the effect of climate change on cassava production.