Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change by Food Crop Farmers in Oke-Ogun Area of South Western Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the adaptation strategies to climate change in Oke Ogun Area of South Western Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select two of the ten local government areas in the area, two wards in each LGA,6 communities in each ward, from which a total of\r160 out of 800 food crop farmers were randomly sampled. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using frequency counts and percentages. Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) and chi-square were used to determine the relationship between variables. Majority of the respondents were males (77.5%), having low level of education (68.7%). Also, majority were aged 41 to 60 years, with farming experience ranging\rfrom 11 to 50 years (59.3%). Majority (90% and 58.8%) of respondents had access to credit facilities and extension contacts respectively. Majority (60%) of the respondents had an unfavourable perception of climate change effects. Ninety nine percent of the respondents practised multiple cropping under dry land and crop rotation, while 10.6% adopted\ragricultural insurance as parts of their adaptation strategies to climate change. Crop rotation (mean = 2.77). Invasion of cattle and herdsmen (mean = 2.50) inadequate supply of agricultural inputs (mean = 2.41) and lack of access to credit facilities (mean = 2.33) were the important constraints to farmers adaptation strategies. Inputs supply to the local farmers should also come with government subsidy. This will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the farmers, as regards inadequate\rsupply and delivery of agricultural inputs.\r\rKey words: Adaptation, Strategies, Climate, Change, Food, Crop,\rFarmers, south-western