Agricultural Researchers’ Awareness of the Causes and Effects of Climate Change in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed Agricultural researchers' awareness of the causes and effects of climate change in Edo State, Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 112 respondents and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that 45.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-50 years with 64.2% having a work experience of 5-10 years. Results revealed that 96.4% and 94.6% of the respondents were aware of gas flaring and oil spillage as causes of climate change. Also, 98.2% and 95.5% of the respondents were aware of increase in temperature and change in rainfall pattern respectively as some of the effects of climate change. There was a significant relationship between information sources and awareness of causes of climate change (r = 0.32; p < 0.05). It was recommended that agricultural researcher should be pragmatic and proactive in the pursuit of issues relating to climate change.

Changing Patterns of Long-term Climatic Elements and Efficiency Levels of Adaptation Strategies Adopted by smallholder Farmers in Edo North, Nigeria

“…The rainy season last for about seven months (May to October) and the dry season last for about five months (November to April). Rainfall is moderate between the months of March and May and heaviest between June and September with average rainfall between 1000 mm and 1500 mm and temperature as high as 36.7°C especially within the hottest period of February to April [44].…”

Thermophysical properties plaster of Paris ceilings reinforced with oil palm mesocarp fiber for building design

“…It belongs to Arecaceae palm family in Plantae kingdom of Arecales order [1]. In West Africa, oil palm grows freely in the southern latitudes of Sierra Leone, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, and Angola [2]. Oil palm is grown across other parts of the world including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea [3,4].…”

“…For making panel products, the trunk is a good candidate [9]. The crop serves as a valuable source of timber/fuel (for cooking as derived from its dead palm) and pleasant/intoxicating wine [2]. Palm kernel oil is a raw material for manufacturing of non-food products like detergents, soaps, toiletries, cosmetics, and candles while palm oil is utilized in food products such as shortenings, cooking oil, and margarine [10].…”