Abstract
The study investigated the perception of arable crop farmers on climate change variability and the mitigating measures taken by them. It was carried out in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from the respondents. Proportionate sampling technique was employed to select ninety arable crop farmers from the study area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression at 0.05 significant level was used to test the hypothesis. The findings from the study revealed that female dominated arable crop, and have been farming for the past 12 years. A higher percentage of the arable farmers were aware of climate change and were of the opinion that climate change was caused by bush burning, desertification, clearing of land for agriculture and act of gods. The effects of climate change on arable crops were poor/low yield, increased incidence of pest and diseases and induce spoilage of crops very fast. The mitigating strategies adopted by arable farmers to reduce the effects of climate change on their crops were, early harvesting of crops and mixed farming. Excessive rainfall and sunshine which were some of the signs of climate change affect arable crops when planted, which had led to low yield.
Highlights
Rural farmers in Nigeria had at various times, expressed concerns on the potential effects of climate change on agricultural productivity (Egbule, 2010)
The high level of awareness recorded by the respondents could mean that effect of climate change is very serious on them
The evidence as pointed by the respondents, are true of evidence recorded globally for climate change (Baidya, Shrestha, & Shiekh, 2008; Khanal, 2009; Swift et al, 2002; Rosegrant, Nelson, & Robertson, 2009). This finding is in contrast with the study conducted in Niger Delta of Nigeria, where a greater proportion of the respondents claimed to be unaware of climate change (Egbule, 2010) and agrees with that conducted in Imo State where a very good majority of the respondents were very much aware of climate change (Umunakwe, 2011)
Summary
Rural farmers in Nigeria had at various times, expressed concerns on the potential effects of climate change on agricultural productivity (Egbule, 2010). It seems clear that the combination of high climate viability, poor infrastructures, economic poverty, drought, excess rainfall, reduced crop yields, low productivity and a range of other problems associated with climate change. Famers in Rivers State are experiencing climate change even though they have not considered its deeper implications. This is evident in the late or early commencement of rainfall and drying up of streams. Farmers in the rural parts of Rivers State have to a large extent, been able to develop their livelihood strategies in a way which enables them to constantly cope with and adapt to an erratic change in crop production (Apata & Adeola, 2009)
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