Women Farmers Use of Indigenous Knowledge in Land and Water Management for Climate Change Adaptation in Flood-Plain Agricultural Areas of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to analyze indigenous knowledge practices employed by women farmers for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 360 women farmers was randomly selected from 7 flood plain areas of the State. Questionnaire and oral interview were used to elicit information from the respondents. Percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze data collected. Results showed the indigenous land and water management practices to include ; mulching (88.8%), use of mounds (80.5%), crop rotation (97.2%), soil fertilization (81.6%), conservation agriculture (97.2%), construction of infiltration pits (83.3%), construction of wells and basins for water storage (94.4%), terrace building (96.9%), planting mangrove trees (92.7%), use of sand bags against erosion (96.6%) among others. The high mean (M) response below showed the benefits of use of indigenous knowledge in land and water management to include; enhanced agricultural productivity (M=3.64), reduced water stress (M=3.25), improve soil air and water quality (M=2.86), improves soil organic matter content (M=2.95), increase soil moisture content (M=2.90), reduces erosion menace in farm (M=2.92) and others. The following challenges were faced – high transaction cost (M=3.04), land tenure problems (M=3.95), insecurity of rights to land (M=3.35), low level of income (M=3.67), lack of education and training (M=3.55) among other challenges. Extension training of women farmers be vigorously pursued to educate and enlighten the rural agricultural population.