Perception of Climate Change and Its Effects on Rural Livelihood in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the perception of climate change and its effects on livelihood in Katsina state. This study adopted cross sectional research design. Data for this study were generated from the administration of questionnaire in the study area. Data analysis was achieved using the Kruskal Wallis test. Findings of the study include; the locals identified that there are changes in the characteristics of climate elements in the area indicating climate change. The locals also identified that as a result of climate change, they have witnessed increase in the loss of agricultural land and soil quality due to erosion and reduced soil fertility (70%), reduced livestock productivity (55.6%), increase in pest and disease incidence in livestock (70%), increase in the cost of crop production (60.7%), and increase in the rate of farmer poverty (39.3%). The perception of the concept of climate change across the study area was significantly different at P<0.05 (χ²(2) =, 21303.673) implying that, the consequences of climate change in the area also vary. The study strongly advocates, the application of climate smart agriculture, reforestation and massive public awareness about the causes and effects of climate change in the study area.

Keywords: climate-change, livelihood, semi-arid, greenhouse-gases

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-2-04

Publication date: January 31^st 2020