Abstract:
The impacts of climate change and variability have been a cause of controversy and debate for
many years in many parts of the developing world. Perceptions vary about the effects of climate
change and variability. This study assessed small-scale farmers’ perceptions on climate change
impacts and possible adaptation strategies adopted by farmers in Saki community of Oyo State.
Data were generated through a well-structured questionnaire, targeting 150 respondents in the
study area. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The result
revealed that 74.7 % of the farmers were aware of climate change prior to the time this survey was
conducted. Moreover, a large proportion 92 % of the farmers, claimed to have noticed that
temperature was increasing while 47.3 % perceived decreased in rainfall. The farmers’ perception
on temperature and rainfall were supported by trend analysis, which indicated that total rainfall
was decreasing by 2.1mm per year with increasing temperature of 0.029OC yearly. They reacted
to these changes in climate by adopting various climate-adaptive strategies, prominent among
which were planting of crops resistant to drought and pest/disease, government assistance, using
NIMET seasonal rainfall prediction forecast and mulching to reduce water loss. However, the
study also revealed that, there was a positive and significant relationship between sociodemographic
characteristics of farmers and their perception on climate change suggesting that only
farmers’ age, education level and household income per annum had significant effect on their
perception on climate change
