Constraints to the Development of Technological Capabilities of Climate Change Actors in Agricultural Innovation System in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Effective climate change adaptation and mitigation requires actors who have acquired requisite technological capabilities to efficiently use climate change equipment/information to counter the ravaging impacts of climate change. The study identified the constraints to the development of technological capabilities of climate change actors in agricultural innovation system in Southeast Nigeria. Five sub-systems (education, technology transfer, policy, research and farmer) that constitute an agricultural innovation system were identified and the staff in each system served as actors. Both interview schedule and structured questionnaire were used to collect data from a sample size of 176. Exploratory factor analysis was for data analysis. Statistical analyses of the data show funding/manpower (0.959), organizational (0.785) and weak policy (0.916) related factors constrained the development of technological capabilities of the actors. The study recommends adequate funding to enable the actors enhance and develop their technological capabilities.

Keywords: Climate change, technological capabilities, actors, agricultural innovation system, southeast Nigeria