Climate change perception, adaptation strategies, and constraints amongst urban farmers in Anambra Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Urban agriculture has been recognized as a climate change and risk reduction strategy. However, it is still unclear how urban farmers perceive climate change and what constraints they encounter in adapting to its impacts. This study aims to understand urban farmers’ perceptions and climate change adaptation constraints in Nigeria. Data were obtained through household surveys using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and component factor analyses were used in data analysis. The result shows that most urban farmers perceived climate change through its effects on increased weed infestation, drying up of streams/rivers, decrease in soil moisture, etc. Adaptation strategies range from soil and water adaptation options to various adjustments in the farming system. The principal adaptation constraints faced by urban farmers are somewhat diverse in nature and fall within broader institutional, information, and financial constraints. The study reveals that the socioeconomic conditions of urban farmers in developing countries pose a threat to urban agriculture's potential to mitigate climate change. Therefore, there is a need to support urban farmers in developing countries by providing credit facilities and integrating agricultural lands into urban land-use policies.