Climate change is the world’s most pressing environmental issue, influencing almost all sectors of the economy. Agriculture is one of those sectors whose performance is primarily determined by an increasingly variable climate. Consequently, agriculture workers and particularly subsistence farmers are the proximate witnesses of the changing climate as their plight is one of having to struggle for their livelihood in the face of these emerging disruptions. Researchers in recent years have focused on ascertaining the perceived impacts of, and response to, climate change and agriculture. This study reviews the research specific to climate change-related experiences and observations of members of farming communities. Based on a systematic review of original research articles, published up until October 2016, the study reveals the status of in-field knowledge to inform future research. The review found that farmers worldwide have been experiencing changes in climate mainly regarding rising temperature, unpredictable and reduced rainfall. A majority have witnessed reduced agricultural production. Farmers hold differing explanations and respond accordingly to combat those changes. To orient adaptation measures towards those who are already experiencing and trying to respond to such changes, it is crucial to recognize and understand their views when formulating adaptation plans and policies.

The experiences and perceptions of farmers about the impacts of climate change and variability on crop production: a review

Impacts of variability and change in rainfall on gender of farmers in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria.

The phenomenon of climate change has negative impacts on rice production in Nigeria as it lowers its output and reduces farmers’ income with a resultant depreciation in their livelihood. This accentuates the need for adaptation to climate change in order to reduce the growing dependency on rice importation, ensure food security as well as achieve a sustainable rice production system in Nigeria. The study therefore investigated the utilization of climate change adaptation strategies among rice farmers in three states of Nigeria. Data were collected from 298 rice farmers using interview schedule in Ebonyi, Ekiti and Niger States on their socio-economic and farm enterprise characteristics, knowledge and utilization of Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS). Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Knowledge of CCAS was high (55.7%) among respondents while utilization of CCAS was low (65.4%). A non-significant difference existed in the use of CCAS across the states (F = 43.15; p-value>0.05). However, continuous and frequent weeding, appropriate use of fertilizer, and early harvesting of crops were major CCAS used by respondents. The result implies that rice farmers are not totally ignorant of CCAS, but have been using one form of adaptation strategy or the other irrespective of the agro-ecology. Also, the study revealed that CCAS is ecology specific thus effective utilization should be ensured.

	 

	Key words: Climate change, adaptation strategies, utilization, rice farmers.

Utilization of climate change adaptation strategies among rice farmers in three states of Nigeria

Awareness and perception of climate change by smallholder farmers in two agroecological zones of Oyo state Southwest Nigeria

This study analysed the contribution of off-farm economic activities of rural women to household food security in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, this study identified offfarm activities with which rural women are engaged, and assessed their level of involvement in off-farm activities, assessed women’s expenditure on household needs, determined the relationship between respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and their off-farm activities, and identified women’s constraints to engage in off-farm economic activities. One-hundred and eighty rural women used for this study were selected through multi-stage sampling techniques. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit relevant information from the respondents. Frequency counts, percentages, and chi-square test were used to analyse the data collected. The mean age, monthly income, and household size of the rural women was 46 years, ₦8,879, and 7, respectively. Most of them (43.9%) had no formal education. Most rural women engaged in multiple off-farm economic activities including trading, food processing, tailoring, livestock rearing amongst others. The majority (82.8% and 72.8%) of the women contributes to provide food and cloth, respectively, for the household. Significant relationship exists between household size (X 2 =2.87; P≤0.01), access to extension (X 2 =1.98; P≤0.01), and access to credit (X 2 =1.73; P≤0.01) and women engagement in off-farm activities. Also, women’s contributions to household food security depend on a number of activities engaged in. Poor institutional support was the major constraint to engagement in rural off-farm economic activities. Extension agencies should design innovative ways (through training and re-training) to impact on the off-farm activities of women. Keywords : Rural women, off-farm activities, food security, rural economy, Nigeria

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Off-Farm Economic Activities of Rural Women for Household Food Security in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study examined farmers’ perception of climate change and coping strategies across gender in two agro-ecological zones of Nigeria Two agro-ecological zones namely north-central and north-west were purposively selected and one State Agricultural Development Project each namely Niger and Kaduna were selected repectively Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 140 respondents Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics Personal experience was the most prominent means through which females (357%) and males (386%) became aware of climate change Majority of the females (857%) and males (743%) in the north-central zone , started to notice the effect of climate change only about 1-5years ago About 89% of males and 82% of females opined that yearly rainfull begins late About 97% of the female and 99% of the males were of the opinion that there had been gradual reduction of vegetation cover General perception by both females (mean=32) and males (mean=32) was that climate change reduces the yield of crops, increase the cost of crop production and reduces the productivity of livestock and also time spent by the females to look for water for domestic use had increased Chi-square analysis indicated positive and significant relationship between perception of climate change and farm size (X 2 = 41; p<005) in north- central and farming experience (X 2 = 73; p<005) in north west zone The results of t-test analysis showed significant difference between how the females and males perceived the effect of climate change with regards to rainfall ending early (t(138)=25; p<005) and time spent to look for water for cooking food has increased(t(138)=22;p<005) A multi-media enlightenment campagn of the effects and posssible coping strategies of climate change should be adopted by all tiers of government and NGOs to reach the farmers using available extension structure on ground Also, farming communities can run local disaster risk committees to encourage local adaptation measures as survival tactics for the purpose of ensuring food security Key Words: Gender, Farmers Perception, Coping strategies, Climate Change, Agro-ecological Zone

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Bamidele Emmanuel Tologbonse

Papers

Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and Coping Strategies across Gender in Two Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria