Climate Change and the Profitability of Indigenous Adaptation Practices in Smallholder Agriculture in South East Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change affects agriculture in many ways, one of which is its direct impact on food production. This is particularly significant in developing countries, where agriculture is mainly rain-fed, providing employment and income for the majority of the population. This paper, based on data from 400 randomly selected farmers in Enugu and Imo states in South East Nigeria, assesses some effects of climate change and the cost implications of farmers' adaptation practices. Virtually all respondents reported unusual rises in extreme events such as thunderstorms, heavy winds and intense heatwaves; uncertainties at the start of the farming season such as unusual early rains, erratic rainfall and delay in the onset of rain; the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds; and signs of land degradation such as declining soil fertility and the drying up of streams or rivers. The overall impact (on farm yield and income) was significantly higher for Enugu than for Imo, possibly because Enugu has drier weather. The greatest perceived effects of climate change were reduced yield and income, drying up of streams and rivers, reduced storage quality of crops, loss of pastureland and/or vegetation and the destruction of wildlife ecosystems. Coping strategies with a relatively high profitability index were multiple cropping/intercropping, agro-forestry/afforestation, mulching, purchase/ harvesting of water for irrigation and the use of resistant varieties. Extension services need to promote appropriate adaptation practices among farmers.

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