Determinants of climate change adaptive strategies among small-scale yam farmers in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the determinants of adaptation to climate change among small-scale yam farmers in the federal capital territory Abuja, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 100 yam farmers for the study. Focus Group Discussion and structured Questionnaire was used to elicit information on determinants of adaptation to climate change from the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The respondents were within the mean age of 45 years and majority (86%) of the farmers were male. Farmers major sources of information on climate change were radio and television with means of (2.6) and (2.6) respectively. Identified adaptation strategies used by farmers to mitigate the effect of climate change included planting beside the river(86%), planting disease and pest resistant crop (73%) and changes on planting and harvesting dates(63%). Results of Tobit regression analysis showed that level of education, farm size and access to credit were positive and significantly influenced adaptation to climate change at 5%, 5% and 1% level of significance respectively, while age was negative and significantly influenced adaptation to climate change at 10% level of significance. The study recommended increasing formal and informal institutional support such as farm advisory services and extension education to promote the use of adaptation options and indigenous knowledge systems to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

Keywords: Climate change, Adaptation, Yam farmers