UTILIZATION OF ADAPTATION STRATEGIES BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGES ON AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focused on the utilization of adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers towards climate changes on agricultural activities in Ogun State, Nigeria. The populations of the study were arable crop farmers. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 arable crop farmers. Structured interview schedule was validated and used to elicit information from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results reveal that most (75.0%) of the respondents were male. Majority (87.5%) of the respondents had formal education, most (79.2%) of the respondents were between the age of 40 – 70 years and 54.2% had been an arable farmer for above 10 years. Adaptive measures used to reduce the impact of climate changes were early harvesting (81.7%), irrigation and mixed farming (75.0%). The constraints faced were lack of fund, lack of knowledge on weather situation and no access to forecast technologies. Chi-square analysis showed that there is a significant relationship (P < 0.05) between level of education (X2= 45.21), marital status (X2= 51.13) and the extent of adaptive strategies used in the study area. The study recommended that most of the strategies/practices currently used should be improved upon to ensure appropriate sustainable agricultural development in response to changes in climate in the country.