Rural Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change in Central Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Farmer perception of their environment is a factor of climate change. Adaptation to climate change requires farmers to realize that the climate has changed and they must identify useful adaptations and implement them. This study analyzed the per-ception of climate change among rural farmers in central agri-cultural zone of Delta State, Nigeria. Climate change studies often assume certain adaptations and minimal examination of how, when, why, and conditions under which adaptations usually take place in any economic and social systems. The study was conducted by survey method on 131 respondents using struc-tured interview schedule and questionnaire. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and linear regression model to test that education, gender, and farming experience influenced farmers’ perception of climate change. The results showed that the farmers were aware of climate change. The identified causes of climate change were ranging from intensified agriculture, population explosion, increased use of fossil fuel, loss of in-digenous know practice to gas flaring. The effects of climate change on crops and livestocks were also identified by the rural farmers. Many of the farmers adapted to climate change by planting trees, carrying out soil conservation practice, changing planting dates, using different crop varieties, installing fans in livestock pens, and applying irrigation. Almost half of them did not adapt to climate change. The linear regression analysis revealed that education, gender, and farming experience influ-enced farmers’ perception of climate change. The major barriers to adaptation to climate change included lack of information, lack of money, and inadequate land.<br /><br /><br />

An assessment of crop farmer households’ perceptions of climate change and coping strategies in Kano State, Nigeria

“…This implies that the respondents in the study area perceived climate change led to decrease crop production. These findings agree with that of Ofuoku (2011), Abraham et al (2012) and Farauta et al (2011) that farmers perceived reduction in crop production, increase in pest and disease infestation, decrease food availability, decrease in soil fertility and increase in cost of food crops as common effects of climate change on crop production. Climate change is a serious threat to agriculture and food security especially the rural communities which majorly rely on agriculture to meet their subsistence needs.…”

Climate change perception, awareness and adaptation decision among forest communities in Nigeria

“…With respect to the factors influencing the likelihood of adoption, the result on the positive effect of the number of years of forest use (experience) resonates with those of Shortle and Miranowaski (1986), Gbetibouo (2008), Ayanwuyiet al ( , Dhaka et al(2010,Baffoe-Asare(2013), Mudzonga (2012), Rana et al (2012), Shankar et al (2013),who found that experience has a positive effect on adoption decision. Thus, Ofuoku (2011) opine that those who have many years of farming experience have interacted much more with the climate in relation to their activities and therefore, have good knowledge of environmental factors as they relate to their daily operations. It is not surprising that households with access to electricity are more likely to adapt to climate change than those that haven't.…”

Perception And Adaptation Responses To Climate Change: An Assessment Of Smallholder Livestock Farmers In Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province

“…Perception can be defined as the process by which organisms interpret and organise sensation to produce a meaningful experience of the world (Lindsay & Norman, 1977;Ndamani & Watanabe, 2015;Pickens, 2005). According to Ofuoku (2011), it is anticipated that a man's reaction to protect his well-being and future is based on his perception and interpretation of climate change. Although such perception and interpretation could differ substantially from reality (Pickens, 2005), they must be put into consideration to address socio-economic challenges (Kusakari et al, 2014;Ndamani & Watanabe, 2015).…”