Does Cassava-Based Farmers’ Sociodemographic Characteristics and Perception Predict Adaptation Strategies to Climate Variability in Rain Forest and Derived Savannah Ecosystems of Nigeria?

Abstract

The study assessed the sociodemographic characteristics of cassava-based (CB) farmers’ and their perception of climate variability as predictors of their adaptation strategies. The study covers cassava-based farmers in both the rain forest and derived savannah ecosystems of Nigeria. The study described the farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, their perception of climate variability, adaptation strategies and their socio-demographic factors influencing climate variability adaptation strategies. A cross-sectional survey using a multistage sampling procedure, was used to sample 400 cassava-based farmers in the study area. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit (MVP) regression. Results indicated that 71.68% of the CB farmers were males, married (85.21%), had primary school certificates (30.08%) and received trainings in local adaptation strategy technologies (62.41%) and climate adaptation strategies (65.16%). Majority (68.67%) felt climate variability implied low yield and reduced water supply for farming activities in some years (69.42%). Most (85.21%) CB farmers combatted climate variability through water management practices, 68.17% utilised weather forecast information while 44.86% adapted planting and harvesting time to target peak produce prices. Farmers’ perception and their socioeconomic characteristics that predicted their climate variability strategies included access to extension training (p<0.01), experience of previous season’s low yield (p<0.01), membership of professional associations (p<0.01), farming experience (p<0.10) and credit access (p<0.10). Cassava-based farmers’ climate variability perception and their sociodemographic characteristics predicted their climate variability adaptation strategies. Enhancement trainings and improved formal credit access are veritable ways to minimise the adverse effects of climate variability on cassava production in the study area.

Keywords: Climate, Perception, Adaptation, Cassava farmers, Ecosystem, Multivariate probit.

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-11-04

Publication date: November 30^th 2020