Climate Change: Perception and Determinants of Rural Farmer’s Adaptation in Abia State

Abstract

This study was carried to examine the determinants of rural farmers’ adaptation to climate change, and their perception with respect to farmers’ socio-economic profile. The study conducted in Abia state utilized 120 farmers selected from 4 communities and 2 Local Government Area’s through multi-stage random sampling. Primary data was sourced and collected through a structured questionnaire which elicited information relating farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, climate change incidences and perception; and adaptation. Result from the descriptive statistics suggest that majority (84.2%) of the farmers are male. Also, 61.9% are 49 years and above suggesting that rural farming now is mostly dominated by more advanced farmers. More of the farmers (42.9%) spent at most 6 years in school. In addition, and comparing with NIMET data on climate variables, more farmers (74.5%) of age 50 and above perceived the changes in climate in relation to precipitation more correctly relative to other age groups. Also, 90.9% of farmers with more than 13 years of education perceived correctly as compared to 80% of farmers with 0-6 years. About 64.4% of female farmers perceived correctly the changes in climate as against 60% of male farmers who perceived correctly. The Logit regression result used to analyze the determinants of adaptation of rural farmers to climate change in the study area revealed that number of years in school, access to credit, and co-operative membership showed positive significant relationship with adaptation. Gender of farmer however showed a negative relationship with adaptation of farmer to climate change. This study reiterates the importance of micro-credit in agricultural development and poverty reduction especially in the rural areas as it enhances the likelihood of adoption of adaptation practices by farmers. This study therefore calls for a more holistic approach in solving the problem of credit especially in the rural areas so as to increase farmers’ capacity to adapt to the vagaries of a changing climate.