Utilization of climate change adaptation strategies among rice farmers in three states of Nigeria

Abstract

The phenomenon of climate change has negative impacts on rice production in Nigeria as it lowers its output and reduces farmers’ income with a resultant depreciation in their livelihood. This accentuates the need for adaptation to climate change in order to reduce the growing dependency on rice importation, ensure food security as well as achieve a sustainable rice production system in Nigeria. The study therefore investigated the utilization of climate change adaptation strategies among rice farmers in three states of Nigeria. Data were collected from 298 rice farmers using interview schedule in Ebonyi, Ekiti and Niger States on their socio-economic and farm enterprise characteristics, knowledge and utilization of Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS). Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Knowledge of CCAS was high (55.7%) among respondents while utilization of CCAS was low (65.4%). A non-significant difference existed in the use of CCAS across the states (F = 43.15; p-value>0.05). However, continuous and frequent weeding, appropriate use of fertilizer, and early harvesting of crops were major CCAS used by respondents. The result implies that rice farmers are not totally ignorant of CCAS, but have been using one form of adaptation strategy or the other irrespective of the agro-ecology. Also, the study revealed that CCAS is ecology specific thus effective utilization should be ensured.   Key words: Climate change, adaptation strategies, utilization, rice farmers.