Vulnerability of Rice Farmers to Climate Change in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate unpredictability and weather extremes are being projected as capable of presenting additional challenges for farmers currently engaged in the low-technology based food production systems in sub-Saharan countries like Nigeria. This study assessed rice farming households’ vulnerability to climate change in Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data, collected from 150 respondents using simple random sampling procedure were analysed employing descriptive statistic was use to describe the coping strategies adopted and Human Development Index (HDI) was created to assess vulnerability of rice farmers to climate change. Statistical analyses indicated a vulnerability assessment index of 0.3001, pointing to a fact that the zone is prone to the adverse effects of climatic variability. For this reason, the study empirically underscores the need for farmers to adopt and adapt the planting of drought tolerant and/or early maturing varieties of rice. Importantly, the capacities of the local communities needs to be strengthened vis-à-vis the relationship between climate change and crop production. Capacity building at the farm level is crucial for improving crop, soil and water management, enhancing the demand for and use of better and more efficient production inputs. Tied to farm-level capacity building is the need to refocus public agricultural-based institutions towards exposing the rice farmers to effective mitigation strategies in the wake of climate change, provision of agricultural inputs, expansion of irrigation, efficient and effective extension service delivery, market development and other forms of necessary support.

Impact of Climate Change on Farmer’s Vulnerability in Different Altitude Regions of Anantnag District of Kashmir, Indian Himalayas

“…Indicator normalization using a functional relationship was adapted from the Human Development Index (HDI), which has been employed by both United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This methodology entails ensuring that all indicator values can be effectively compared and harmonized, resulting in their standardization within a uniform range, typically spanning from 0 to 1 [15]. Vulnerability increases with exposure and susceptibility but reduces with adaptive capacities.…”

Assessment of climate variability and the determinants of rice productivity in Southeastern Nigeria

“…Nosiru et al (2014) found farmers' age to have a negative influence on total productivity. Furthermore, climate change influences rice yield (Sarker et al, 2013;Akanbi et al, 2022;Heriansyah et al 2022). The extent of per capita land area of rice harvested rather than yield per hectare is the key determinant of rice production in Southeast Asia (Dawe, 2013).…”

“…A similar study was done in southwestern Nigeria where farm size cultivated, frequency of extension contacts, and yield ratings of improved varieties are the key factors for adoption (Saka and Lawal, 2009). Climate change affects rice farmers and thus, it is advocated that capacity building at the farm level which is key to improving crop, soil, and water management be provided with an expansion of irrigation and effective extension service delivery (Akanbi et al, 2022). Pest infestation and difficulties of finance are the major constraints for rice farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Osanyinlusi and Adenegan, 2016).…”