Effects and Knowledge of Climate Change among Farmers in Taraba South, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract

The study examined the effects and knowledge of climate change among farmers in Taraba South, Nigeria. Sampling techniques which includes Multi-stage; purposive, accidental and simple random were used in selecting 300 respondents in this study. Data were collected using structured interviews from 300 farmers and analysed using descriptive statistics. The research findings revealed that most (89%) of the farming activities in the study area were conducted by male. The major source of information on climate change in the study area was the use of radio (42.40%). Their knowledge and perception of climate change phenomenon substantially directed at high temperature (21.4%), increased rainfall distribution and rising flooding (21.2%). The findings also reveals that the major perceived effect of climate change on the crop production is low crop yield (22.49%). Some farmers attributed high frequency and severity of dry-spell, excessive precipitation, drying up of rivers and changes in timing and pattern of seasons as evidence of climate change. The study concluded that despite its advantages in some cases, climate change seem to be exerting adverse effect on crop production by intensifying the vagaries of weather and climate change events as perceived by the farmers which leads to the poor agricultural production in the study region and therefore recommends public awareness by the government using weather forecast/early warning information services and provision of training on adaptive measures for members of the public (farmers).