Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability by Farming Households in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change and variability present major environmental and socioeconomic challenges to populations in sub-Saharan Africa that depend upon favourable climatic conditions for agricultural production and for their sustenance and livelihoods. This study assessed the adaptation strategies used by farming households in north-central Nigeria to reduce the impacts of persistent ongoing climate variability, mainly changes in rainfall and temperatures, as a result of climate change. Data were collected through household questionnaires from 120 farming households in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, north-central Nigeria. The results indicated that the number of years of farming experience was positively correlated with farmers’ knowledge and awareness of climate change (p = 0.000). Furthermore, education status significantly influenced farmers’ adaptation strategies to both deal with climate variability and to ensure household income (p < 0.05). The results from farmers indicated that a range of on-farm and off-farm adaptation strategies have been adopted. On-farm strategies include changing the crop planting time; crop diversification; irrigation farming; the use of fertilizers, manure, and agrichemicals to boost crop yield; and planting disease-resistant and drought-tolerant crop varieties. Off-farm strategies include small-scale trading and artisanal ventures that can augment the household income. Together, these diverse activities can enhance households’ resilience to the negative effects of climate variability. It is recommended that policymakers improve institutional support and training for farmers to enable viable livelihood diversification strategies, enhancing their climate change adaptation and resilience.