Smallholder Farmers Perception of Climate Change and Variability Impact and Their Adaptation Strategies in the Upper and Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority Areas, Nigeria

Babatolu Js,Akinnubi Rt

doi:10.4172/2157-7463.1000279

Abstract

The work attempted to analyze vulnerabilities and adaptation responses of smallholder farmers in the Upper and Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority areas (U & LNRBDA). Qualitative data was used in this study. The qualitative data was collected using questionnaire method. One thousand and two hundred questionnaires (1200) were administered out of which one thousand and one hundred and twenty-four (1124) were returned for analysis. The research findings revealed that there is high level of climate change awareness in the study area. A significant number of the smallholder farmers attested to the fact that they were aware of the changing climate-increasing temperatures, unpredictable, erratic, heavy and increasing rainfall, late onset and early retreat of rains. This is validated by the various empirical studies in the region. Smallholder farmers in the study areas really possess knowledge of the impacts of climate change and variability which helped them to cope with climate change and variability. They were able to identify their areas of vulnerability and appropriate adaptation options in their own capacity. It is recommended that the government needs to build on their capacity, knowledge and practices to enhance resilience of the smallholder farmers and for sustainability of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability.

Highlights

Nigeria is already experiencing a range of climate changes including more frequent heavy rainfall events, erratic rainfall, and unpredictable onset/retreat of rain and increasing air temperature
The impacts of climate change are expected to be more pronounced in the developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa because their livelihood is dependent on nature which is highly sensitive to climate change [1]
The smallholder farmers in the study area cultivate a diversity of crops and varieties in time and space with local technology

Summary

Introduction

Nigeria is already experiencing a range of climate changes including more frequent heavy rainfall events, erratic rainfall, and unpredictable onset/retreat of rain and increasing air temperature. The impacts from these changes are already threatening ecosystems, food production, livelihoods and infrastructure. The economies of most of the developing countries are dependent on agriculture which employs about 60 percent of the labour force and accounts for 30 per cent GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa [3]. The effects have direct impact on smallholder farmers in the study areas Their vulnerability is inextricably linked with severe poverty high levels of illiteracy, weak institutions and infrastructure, low technology, poor governance and reliance on nature for their livelihood. The smallholder farmers who are the major producer of food crops are increasingly finding it difficult to cope with hazards of climate change and variability [4]

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Conclusion