Adaptation strategies to effects of climate change on vegetable production among women farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the adaptation strategies the women vegetable producers in Imo State, Nigeria, used in reducing the effects of  climate change on their production of vegetables. Using an interview schedule and multistage sampling, ninety (90) women vegetable  producers were chosen selected for this study. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed for the analysis.  Result revealed that vegetable women farmers were aware of change in climate (98.88%) and mainly obtained information from  extension agents (94.4%). The major effects that were perceived of climate change by women producing vegetables were low quality of vegetables (x̄ =3.17), loss of revenue (x̄=3.09), delay in maturation of vegetables (x̄ =3.02), increased postharvest loss (x̄=3.00), flooding of  farmland (x̄ = 2.92), loss of suitable land for agriculture (x̄ = 2.89) and famine (x̄ = 2.82). The major adaptation strategies used were elevation of the farm walls with sandbags or blocks to channel floodwater (x̄ = 3.30), changing the planting/stocking time (x̄ =3.13), using  improved crop varieties (x̄ = 3.10), avoidance of scorching by planting vegetables deeper than the usual planting depth (x̄ = 2.98),  practicing mix cropping (x̄ = 2.96), using nursery for transplantable crops (x̄ =2.77), use of mulching materials for crops (x̄ = 2.70), change  of harvesting date (x̄ = 2.70), using early maturity plants (x̄ = 2.70). However, the farmers identified constraints in the usage of adaptation  strategies in vegetable production as limited access to agricultural extension officers (x̄=3.65), inadequate access to timely information on  weather (x̄ = 3.50), inadequate credit facilities (x̄=3.24), inadequate farm labour (x̄ = 3.21), limited farm sizes (x̄ = 2.92), unpredictable  weather (x̄ = 2.91) and insufficient access to water resources (x̄ = 2.67). Therefore, the study concludes that climate change threatened  vegetable production and the study recommends that women vegetable farmers should have more contact with extension agents to give  them access to appropriate adaptation strategies that can minimize the effects of climate change on vegetable production. Also,  vegetable producers should practice effectively adaptation strategies to prevent flooding that can cause a reduction in available land for  vegetable production.