Impacts of adaptation strategies of climate change on rice production in Kwara State

Abstract

The study was to determine the effectiveness of adaptation strategies of climate change on rice production, it specifically identified the adaptation strategies employed and described the determinants of the strategies. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Adaptation strategies employed by the respondents were planting of early maturing variety (89.2 %), planting of improved variety (85.0 %) and change in planting date (76.7 %). Determinants of adaptation strategies were educational attainment, farming experience, age, climate information, cooperative membership, extension contact and farm size. Planting of improved and early maturing variety with a mean score of x̄꞊3.75 and x̄꞊3.66 respectively were adjudged the most effective adaptive strategies that could help in the production of rice in the study area. Use of irrigation, mixed farming; soil conservation and off-farm activities were effective as adaptation strategies in mitigating the adverse effect of climate change on rice production. Therefore, it was recommended that government policies should ensure that farmers have access to timely, affordable and adequate credit to increase their ability and flexibility to change production strategies in response to climate change, Similarly, adequate and timely information should be made available to farmers in order to keep them alert about the constant changes in climate.

Key Words: Climate change, Effectiveness, Adaption, Strategies