Indigenous Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change among Small Holder Farmers in Arochukwu Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated indigenous mitigation and adaptation to climate change among small holder farmers in Arochukwu area of Abia state, Nigeria. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, ascertained their indigenous mitigation and adaptation to climate change and determined constraints to indigenous mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the study area. A total of 160 farmers randomly selected constituted the sample size, while structured interview guide was employed in data collection. Analytical tools such as frequencies, percentages, mean rating and factor analysis techniques were adopted. The results show that majority (57.5%) of the farmers were within the ages of 31-50 years and large (50.6%) numbers of them had secondary school qualifications. Majority (63.8%) of farmers had 6-15 years of farming experience, while 61.3 percent had estimated annual income of N51, 000.00.- N150,000.00. The farmers reported indigenous mitigation such as cover cropping (M=4.1) and controlled burning (M=3.8) and indigenous adaptation as adjustment in planting dates (M=4.5) and use of organic manure (M=4.4). The study revealed inadequate planning, scarcity of inputs, lack of basic infrastructure and poor institutional support as principal factors and constraints to indigenous mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the study area. Effectiveness in indigenous mitigation and adaptation to climate change depends on the extent indigenous issues raised and constraints identified can be addressed and sustained. The study recommends extension training for group farmers on indigenous practices, participatory approach to inputs procurement and provision of infrastructure as well as improved government policy on indigenous process.