The level of adoption of multiple climate change adaptation strategies: Evidence from smallholder maize farmers in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Climate is one of the most important factors in agricultural productivity, which could directly or indirectly influence productivity since the climate is linked to physiological processes. This study investigates the level of adoption of multiple climate change adaptation strategies (CCAS) in Southwest Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 330 smallholder maize farmers, while secondary data on rainfall and temperature of the study area was sourced from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). Descriptive statistics, a multivariate probit model and fractional response model were employed for the study. The results show that smallholder maize farmers adopt mainly complementary adaptation strategies. The results also indicate that the maize farmer's membership of an association, sex, age, education, farming experience, farm size, access to credit and climate information are the main factors influencing the adoption of multiple CCAS in Southwest Nigeria. The result of fractional response model shows that socio-economic and institutional factors significantly influenced the level of adoption of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder maize farmers in the study area. Hence, the study recommends that the provision of a climate advisory service and credit facility to smallholder maize farmers be intensified.