PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SELECTED FOOD CROP PRODUCTION IN SOME AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as one of the most intensively investigated and discussed environmental issues around the globe. This study examined the perceived effect of climate change on selected food crop production in some agro–ecological zones in Nigeria. The research work investigated the perceived effects of climate change on farmers’ level of food crop production, farmers’ utilization of climate change adaptation strategies and their constraints. A multi stage sampling procedure was used. Edo and Ondo States were selected for the study. The three (3) major agro–ecological zones under consideration were Mangrove zone, Guinea savannah zone and Rainforest zone. A proportionate sampling selection of three (3) local government areas out of 18 local government areas in each state in which each local government selected fall in the agro–ecological zone. A total number of two hundred and forty (240) farmers were selected for the research work. Primary data were obtained from field survey through the use of well structured questionnaire. The study established that males are more involved in farming (73.8%), most farmers were middle age with the mean age 49.6 years old, majority (85.4%) were married with respondent having 36.7% completed secondary education. The study also revealed mean farming experience as twelve (x̅ = 12) years. The study showed average output for cassava production was (x̅ = 15.38 ton/ha), average rice output was (x̅ = 5.62 ton/ha) while average maize output was (x̅ = 2.97 ton/ha). The study revealed that majority of the respondents were more adequately aware of the perceived effects of climate change on agriculture as a whole, majority of the respondents perceived effects of climate change on cost of food crop production (x̅ = 3.25). The chi square revealed a significant relationship between secondary occupation (χ2 = 18.76, p = 0.01) and average rice output, while correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between farming experience (r = -0.18, p = 0.01) and level of cassava production. The correlation analysis also revealed a significant relationship between age (r = -0.16, p = 0.02), household size (r = 0.13, p = 0.05), farming experience (r = -0.35, p = 0.00). Cassava average farm size (r = -0.38, p = 0.00), rice farm size (r = -0.50, p = 0.00) and their perceived effects of climate change on their food crop production. Further study of correlation analysis revealed that both the average cassava output (r = 0.23, p = 0.00) and average rice output production (r = -0.19, p = 0.00) are significantly related with perceived effects of climate change. Analysis of Variance revealed significant differences in the perceived effects of climate change (F = 27.666, p = 0.000), awareness of climate change (F = 7.44, p = 0.001) across the agro–ecological zones. The study therefore, recommended that issue of climate change should not be taken lightly from all stakeholder as its affects various agro – ecological zone. Also, there is need for appropriate stakeholders to provide farmers with necessary input, credit/loan in order to improve their adaptation capacity.