POULTRY FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated poultry farmers’ knowledge level of climate change adaptation strategies in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives identified the various sources of agricultural information available to the farmers on climate change in the study area, examined the knowledge level of the poultry farmers on climate change adaptation strategies; ascertained various climate change adaptation strategies employed by poultry farmers in the area. A multi-staged sampling technique was employed in sampling 120 poultry farmers that took part in the survey. A set of questionnaires was used to get responses from farmers. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings from the study showed that fellow farmers were the major source of information on agriculture for 90% of the poultry farmers. while good housing system (100%), adequate extensive poultry management system (100%) and immediate vaccination of birds (100%) ranked high on the table of climate change adaptation strategies that poultry farmers utilize. Also, with a grand mean of 2.52, above the benchmark mean of 2.00, the poultry producers demonstrated a high level of knowledge regarding measures for adapting to climate change. The hypothesis result indicated a strong relationship between the farmers' sources of information on strategies for adapting to climate change and their level of knowledge with these tactics. The study came to the conclusion that poultry farmers had a high level of knowledge about different climate change adaptation strategies, primarily from other farmers. As a result, it was recommended that the government increase the availability of extension services to poultry farmers so that they can obtain scientifically verified and tried-and-true information on adaptation strategies for increased and sustainable knowledge in the study area.