Awareness and Perception of Climate Variation among Yam Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated farmers’ perception of the effect of climate variation on yam production in Ekiti State with the specific objectives of assessing the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, farmers’ sources of information, the level of awareness of farmers on climate variation, and yam farmers’ perception about climate variation. Multistage sampling technique was used to select one hundred and fifty one respondents from the list of contact farmers obtained from the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP). Data collected through structured interview schedule were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results obtained showed that most yam farmers were males, 97.4% were married and 53% had a form of formal education. Farmers in the study area have a high awareness level of climate variation and unfavourable perception about the effect of climate variation on yam production. Chi-square analysis revealed that significant relationship exists between secondary occupation (χ² = 14.068), farm size (χ² = 99.597), level of education (χ² = 18.031) farming experience (χ² = 97.486) and yam farmers perception of climate variation. Pearson product moment correlation indicated that there was significant relationship between age (r = 0.160), awareness level (r = 0.152) and yam farmers perception of climate variation. Therefore, yam production sustainability can only be realized again if farmers are recognized, appreciated and encouraged by prompt provision of agricultural support services to them.

Key-words: Climate variation, Source of information, Perception