Economic implications of climate change effects and awareness level among arable crops farmers in south-south, Nigeria

Abstract

The foremost aim of the survey is to determine the economic implication of climatic effects and awareness level among respondents. Multi-stage procedure of sampling was adopted in assortment of the study sample. Studied data were attained with the aid of designed questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics. Respondent were matured with average age of 49 years with low educational level of primary school who were mostly married female gender. The study observed moderate family size of 9 persons having 19 years farming experience undergoing full-time arable crop farming and respondents mostly grown cassava, cocoyam, yam and maize. Climate agent affected respondents negatively leading to loss of arable crops output and annual income. Respondents were aware of climatic factors but attributed it to natural disaster and punishment from their gods. Climate change awareness level was low as most respondents does not believe that climate change exist. This is of serious concern to climate change scholars in bridging the awareness gap level in our society especially in the rural areas and Government and NGOs should provide short term relief and credits to respondents. It further recommends awareness of climate change campaign in the rural communities.