A study of socio-economic characteristics of farmers and their adaptation options to climate change

Abstract

The study evaluated the trends, perceptions and adaptation options of arable crop farmers to climate change in
Imo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was adopted in selection of respondents. The sample
size comprised sixty farming households. The main tool for data collection was a set of structured questionnaire.
Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, trend analysis and multinomial logit regression
model. In order to forecast the future trends of climate change in the area and beyond, climatic record of 40 years
duration were obtained between 1972 and 2012 from Agro-meteorological Station, National Root Crops Research
Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. Findings revealed mean age to be 43.24 years. Majority (73.33%)
were males. Greater proportions (71.67%) were married with an average household size of six persons. Average
farm size was 0.97 ha. The study confirmed the evidence of climate change in the area, as result from trend
analysis revealed a sustained decrease in number of rainy days and relative humidity while results on
temperature level and sunshine duration showed an increasingly significant trend, respectively. If the trend
continues, arable crop production (vegetables, maize, okra, roots and tubers) in the area may be adverse with
time. Perceptions of farmers on climatic variables were all in line with the trends result. Thus, it is obvious that
arable crop farmers in the area are noticing the change and its negative impact in the area and are responding to
the change through the adoption of certain local practices to thwart its negative impacts. Estimated multinomial
logit model showed that socio-economic characteristics of the farmers have a significant influence on their
adaptation options to climate change. Farmers complained of inadequate information. It was therefore
recommended that agricultural policies and programmes should focus on intensifying awareness on climate
change as this would affect farmer’s adaptation to climate change positively.