Articles
FRUIT VEGETABLE FARMERS’ PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA
Article number
1007_111
Pages
925 – 933
Language
English
Abstract
There is scientific evidence that the agricultural and food system across the world is experiencing climatic change.
Horticulture, an aspect of agriculture, is no doubt being affected by climate change in terms of yield reduction.
This study was conducted to assess the perception of tomato farmers about the effect of climate change and the various adaptation strategies they are using.
The study was conducted in Gombe state within the north east agricultural zone of Nigeria.
Data for the study were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Multi-stage sampling was used to select 67 respondents for the survey.
Data were analyzed using both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson Product Moment Correlation). The results showed that 79.1% of respondents were between the ages of 35-45 years, the majority (98.5%) was male, and 64.2% had between 10-20 years of experience in tomato production. 55% of the respondents had a favourable perception towards the positive effect of climate change on tomato production in the study area, with 94.0% of the respondents having a high adaptation score.
Some of these adaptation strategies commonly used are altering the timing or location of cropping activities, diversifying income through altering integration with other farming activities and a wider use of integrated pest and pathogen management and development.
The results further showed that (p=0.05) there was a positive significant relationship between perceived effect and adaptation strategies.
It is therefore recommended that the locally developed adaptation strategies in the study area be improved upon by relevant research institutes and universities and disseminated through efficient extension services in Nigeria.
The youth should be empowered to go into tomato production by giving incentives and training to encourage them.
Horticulture, an aspect of agriculture, is no doubt being affected by climate change in terms of yield reduction.
This study was conducted to assess the perception of tomato farmers about the effect of climate change and the various adaptation strategies they are using.
The study was conducted in Gombe state within the north east agricultural zone of Nigeria.
Data for the study were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Multi-stage sampling was used to select 67 respondents for the survey.
Data were analyzed using both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson Product Moment Correlation). The results showed that 79.1% of respondents were between the ages of 35-45 years, the majority (98.5%) was male, and 64.2% had between 10-20 years of experience in tomato production. 55% of the respondents had a favourable perception towards the positive effect of climate change on tomato production in the study area, with 94.0% of the respondents having a high adaptation score.
Some of these adaptation strategies commonly used are altering the timing or location of cropping activities, diversifying income through altering integration with other farming activities and a wider use of integrated pest and pathogen management and development.
The results further showed that (p=0.05) there was a positive significant relationship between perceived effect and adaptation strategies.
It is therefore recommended that the locally developed adaptation strategies in the study area be improved upon by relevant research institutes and universities and disseminated through efficient extension services in Nigeria.
The youth should be empowered to go into tomato production by giving incentives and training to encourage them.
Publication
Authors
O. Adebisi-Adelani, O.B. Oyesola
Keywords
climate change, tomato farmers, adaptation strategies, horticulture, perceived effect
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