Climate Change Perception and Adaptation in Nigeria’s Guinea Savanna: Empirical Evidence From Farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria's guinea savanna produces the bulk of the food consumed in the country and climate change is adversely affecting agriculture in the area. Farmers in the area respond differently to climate change based on their perception. Yet, studies that systematically link farmers' perception on climate change to scientific data from meteorological stations are rare in Nigeria's guinea savanna. Much rarer are studies that consider the simultaneity in the adaptation decisions of the farmers. This study therefore aimed at analysing farmers' perception in comparison with meteorological data and the determinants of adaptation efforts of crop farmers in the areas with data from Nasarawa State of Nigeria. To achieve this aim, the study combined time-series data on climatic variables obtained from a weather station and cross-sectional data from 160 smallholder farmers selected from the area. The study applied descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and multivariate probit model in analysing data collected. The study showed reduction in volume of rainfall and significant increase in surface temperature with the farmers having firm perception of these changes. The farmers responded to the changes in temperature and rainfall by choosing adaptation strategies such as use of improved crop varieties, soil and water conservation, tree planting, changing dates of sowing and tillage options, irrigation, diversifying their means of livelihood, and farmland management. Interestingly, these strategies were complementary and farmers' socioeconomic and institutional characteristics significantly determined adaptation in the area. Therefore, considering farmers' socioeconomic characteristics and improving the institutions will help in future and planned adaptation efforts of governments.

Climate change adaptation actions by fish farmers: evidence from the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

“…Farming experience is expected to have a positive impact on adoption of climate‐resilient strategies because the more experienced farmers have better knowledge of farm management and understand the practices and technologies needed to improve production and enhance climate resilience (Onyeneke et al ; Temesgen et al ). Pond size, which represents the size of the farm business, has received considerable attention in the climate change adaptation literature and is commonly considered to have a positive impact on adaptation (Onyeneke et al ; Tarfa et al ). Adoption of technologies tends to take place earlier and more rapidly on larger farms than on smaller farms.…”

Assessing the vulnerability of farmers, fishermen and herdsmen to climate change in Nigeria

“…Figure 2: Mean Annual Rainfall Pattern in Nigeria (Ishaku and Majid, 2010)It also revealed that the respondents had heard of the term climate change but did not however realize that it was a global phenomenon and thought it a local occurrence. It was further revealed that the media had very little to do with the dissemination of information as touching climate change matters as reported byTarfa et. al., (2019) in their study of climate change perception and adaptation in Nigeria"s guinea savanna.…”

Cash transfers, climate shocks vulnerability and households’ resilience in Togo

“…Although policies and agreements are being put in place to address climate change causes, households are also implementing livelihood diversification strategies. These strategies include diversification of income and activities [11][12][13][14] to reduce their vulnerability and be more resilient to climate-related shock. Migrant remittances are cited in the literature as one of the critical elements of this strategy [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”