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Climate variability effect on the yield of arable crops in South-East Nigeria and role of Extension workers in ameliorating the effect
Abstract
The study investigated the effects of climate variability on yield of maize, yam, and cassava in South east Nigeria and the role of agricultural extension on climate variability mitigation and adaptation measures Secondary and primary data were used. Secondary data on climate variables and yield were collected for twenty years (1995-2014) from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency Enugu and from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) respectively. Primary data were collected from the Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) of the three selected states of South East Nigeria by use of structured questionnaire. The list of expected role of extension agent was measured by the use of a four-point likert-type scale. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting Agricultural zones and blocks. Data on climate variability was measured by nominal values of yes (2) and no (1) and was analyzed with crop yield by use of Mean, Multiple Regression, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and Analysis of Variance respectively. Data on the role of Extension workers were analyzed by the mean score and standard deviation. The study revealed that climate variables significantly accounted for the yield of yam (R2= 55.7%) and cassava (R2= 51.1%). Temperature minimum and solar radiation have significant effect on the yield of maize. The relationship between climate variability and yield of arable crops was established. There was significant difference between the yield of cassava, yam, and maize in the three States, with F-values = 62.497, 249.722 and 36.37 respectively. It was found that the significant role of extension workers includes production of publication on the cause of climate change (= 2.23) and village transect walk and study of the environment in relation to climate change (= 2.23). The advisory role of extension agents in climate variability mitigation and adaptation measures was inadequate. The study recommended the planting of arable crops should be done at the onset of the rains. It is recommended that extension agents be trained on their role in climate change variability mitigation and adaptation measures, and also be updated with information on Climate variability from meteorological Agencies.
