Adaptation Practices to Climate Change Among Rice Farmers in Anambra State of Nigeria

The study examined adaptation practices to climate change among rice farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 100 rice farmers by the combination of multistage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques, through the use of interview schedule. Percentage and mean statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that majority (80.0%) of the respondents were aware of climate change and its adaptation measures in rice production included the use of improved varieties, growing flood and pest / disease resistant varieties, diversification in crop production, multiple cropping, adoption of minimum/zero tillage, adjusting the planting calendar and moderate use of agro-chemicals and fertilizers among others. The need for active collaboration among the rice farmers and other stakeholders to create more awareness and scale-up the identified adaptation measures and the development of new ones was recommended

Analysis of Community-Based Poverty Reduction Agency and Civil Resources Development and Documentation Centre: Implications for Sustainable Poverty Alleviation in Central Zone of Ebonyi State Nigeria

This study analyzed community-Based Poverty Reduction Agency (CPRA) and Civil Resources Development and Documentation Centres (CIRDDC) and highlighted implications for sustainable poverty alleviation in central zone of Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Two hundred and forty randomly selected participants in poverty alleviation activities of both CPRA and CIRDDC constituted the sample size for the study, while an interview schedule for the participants as beneficiaries was employed for data collection. Both descriptive statistics namely; percentages and mean scores as well as a group t-test were adopted in data analysis. The findings revealed that majority (60.71%) of CPRA compared with 48.88 % of CIRDDC beneficiaries were males, while only 34.68 % of CIRDDC compared with majority (58.63%) of CPRA beneficiaries were married. Large (53.38%) numbers of CPRA compared with 47.54 % of CIRDDC were within the age range of 30-59 years, while majority (63.07%) of them under CIRDDC compared with 56.36 % of CPRA belonged to 6-15 member household. Furthermore, only 26.79% of CPRA compared with 26.56% of CIRDDC beneficiaries had WASC/SSCE/GCE 0/L, while 25% of CIRDDC compared with 28.57% of CPRA were either traders or artisans. Majority (69.64%) of CPRA compared with 65.63% of CIRDDC beneficiaries reported estimated annual saving income of N10, 000-N30, 000.00. Differences existed between CPRA and CIRDDC in all their poverty alleviation projects and dimensions of strategies employed by the agencies. Above all, the CIRDDC focused on group formation and orientation and had higher socio-economic impacts on their beneficiaries than the CPRA. The study recommends restructuring the CPRA and CIRDDC as well as streamlining their activities in line with workable public-private partnership to work with other rural-oriented organizations. The conclusion is that sustainable poverty alleviation in the central zone of Ebonyi state, Nigeria depends on the extent issues raised as implication in harmonizing the operations of CPRA and CIRDDC can be addressed and sustained

Analysis of Community-Based Poverty Reduction Agency and Civil Resources Development and Documentation Centre: Implications for Sustainable Poverty Alleviation in Central Zone of Ebonyi State Nigeria

This study analyzed community-Based Poverty Reduction Agency (CPRA) and Civil Resources Development and Documentation Centres (CIRDDC) and highlighted implications for sustainable poverty alleviation in central zone of Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Two hundred and forty randomly selected participants in poverty alleviation activities of both CPRA and CIRDDC constituted the sample size for the study, while an interview schedule for the participants as beneficiaries was employed for data collection. Both descriptive statistics namely; percentages and mean scores as well as a group t-test were adopted in data analysis. The findings revealed that majority (60.71%) of CPRA compared with 48.88 % of CIRDDC beneficiaries were males, while only 34.68 % of CIRDDC compared with majority (58.63%) of CPRA beneficiaries were married. Large (53.38%) numbers of CPRA compared with 47.54 % of CIRDDC were within the age range of 30-59 years, while majority (63.07%) of them under CIRDDC compared with 56.36 % of CPRA belonged to 6-15 member household. Furthermore, only 26.79% of CPRA compared with 26.56% of CIRDDC beneficiaries had WASC/SSCE/GCE 0/L, while 25% of CIRDDC compared with 28.57% of CPRA were either traders or artisans. Majority (69.64%) of CPRA compared with 65.63% of CIRDDC beneficiaries reported estimated annual saving income of N10, 000-N30, 000.00. Differences existed between CPRA and CIRDDC in all their poverty alleviation projects and dimensions of strategies employed by the agencies. Above all, the CIRDDC focused on group formation and orientation and had higher socio-economic impacts on their beneficiaries than the CPRA. The study recommends restructuring the CPRA and CIRDDC as well as streamlining their activities in line with workable public-private partnership to work with other rural-oriented organizations. The conclusion is that sustainable poverty alleviation in the central zone of Ebonyi state, Nigeria depends on the extent issues raised as implication in harmonizing the operations of CPRA and CIRDDC can be addressed and sustained

Adaptation Practices to Climate Change Among Rice Farmers in Anambra State of Nigeria

The study examined adaptation practices to climate change among rice farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 100 rice farmers by the combination of multistage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques, through the use of interview schedule. Percentage and mean statistics were used for data analysis. The results showed that majority (80.0%) of the respondents were aware of climate change and its adaptation measures in rice production included the use of improved varieties, growing flood and pest / disease resistant varieties, diversification in crop production, multiple cropping, adoption of minimum/zero tillage, adjusting the planting calendar and moderate use of agro-chemicals and fertilizers among others. The need for active collaboration among the rice farmers and other stakeholders to create more awareness and scale-up the identified adaptation measures and the development of new ones was recommended

Training Needs of Pineapple Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study identified training needs of pineapple farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select two zones (Awgu and Nsukka zones), four blocks, eight circles and eighty pineapple farmers that were used for the study. Some of the data were analysed with percentage and mean score while some were presented in charts.. Majority (77.5%) of the respondents did not have contact with extension agents in 2011 and they sourced information on pineapple from neighbours (86.3%).The mean annual expenditure and income from pineapple were N27, 568 and N235, 530 respectively. Majority (96.2%) of the respondents had no training on processing and preservation of pineapple and off season production of pineapple (85%). Majority of the respondents indicated that training on pineapple should be organized by researchers (65%) through interpersonal communication (83.8%) using local language (Igbo) (78.8%). Provision of effective micro-credit facilities (M=2.84) and stability of government policy (stability of price of pineapple) (M=2.68) were perceived by the respondents as major strategies that will improve pineapple production in the area. The study encouraged building capacities of pineapple farmers through informal training especially in the areas of processing, preservation and off-season production of pineapple so that they can face challenges of the enterprise, boost their farm size and income

Training Needs of Pineapple Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study identified training needs of pineapple farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select two zones (Awgu and Nsukka zones), four blocks, eight circles and eighty pineapple farmers that were used for the study. Some of the data were analysed with percentage and mean score while some were presented in charts.. Majority (77.5%) of the respondents did not have contact with extension agents in 2011 and they sourced information on pineapple from neighbours (86.3%).The mean annual expenditure and income from pineapple were N27, 568 and N235, 530 respectively. Majority (96.2%) of the respondents had no training on processing and preservation of pineapple and off season production of pineapple (85%). Majority of the respondents indicated that training on pineapple should be organized by researchers (65%) through interpersonal communication (83.8%) using local language (Igbo) (78.8%). Provision of effective micro-credit facilities (M=2.84) and stability of government policy (stability of price of pineapple) (M=2.68) were perceived by the respondents as major strategies that will improve pineapple production in the area. The study encouraged building capacities of pineapple farmers through informal training especially in the areas of processing, preservation and off-season production of pineapple so that they can face challenges of the enterprise, boost their farm size and income

Approaches to Economic Empowerment of Rural Women for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Implications for Policy

There are several ways of promoting women’s economic participation while also counteracting climate change. One approach in the field of climate mitigation is the promotion of renewable energies that help avoid greenhouse gas emissions. The potential of rural women as agents of change for climate mitigation and adaptation remains untapped: Their extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of the environment and resource conservation is not given due consideration. In terms of economic participation, they are not paid for the environmental services that they already provide (example, reforestation). The potential contribution of rural women to climate mitigation by being part of the economic cycle is not sufficiently exploited. The economic empowerment of women through climate mitigation and adaptation fosters economic growth and socioeconomic development, reduces poverty, keeps environmental problems in check, and increases the potential for adaptation, which is to the benefit of both women and men. Enhancing the economic empowerment of women is a catalyst for development, which helps boost a country’s economic growth, promotes the socioeconomic development not only of women, but of the entire population, and helps reduce poverty. It is observed that less attention is paid to the potential that lies in the combination of climate mitigation/ adaptation and the economic empowerment of rural women. Yet mitigation or adaptation activities offer opportunities to advance the economic empowerment of women. In particular, this applies to work that is already being undertaken by women or activities in which women could assume a leading role. In developing countries, for instance, women frequently play a major role in the reforestation and afforestation of cleared land and in forest conservation, yet they have hardly ever benefited from these environmental services. The paper addresses the economic empowerment of rural women through climate change mitigation and adaptation. The study recommends that measures to promote the economic participation of women can be integrated into climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. In order for rural women to play an economic role, an institutional, legal and political framework is required that enables and/or makes it easier for rural women to hold their own in the market. Concrete, promising project measures at the local level should therefore be combined with advisory services at the political level related to climate change and the economic empowerment of women, with a view to initiating structural reformÂ

Approaches to Economic Empowerment of Rural Women for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Implications for Policy

There are several ways of promoting women’s economic participation while also counteracting climate change. One approach in the field of climate mitigation is the promotion of renewable energies that help avoid greenhouse gas emissions. The potential of rural women as agents of change for climate mitigation and adaptation remains untapped: Their extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of the environment and resource conservation is not given due consideration. In terms of economic participation, they are not paid for the environmental services that they already provide (example, reforestation). The potential contribution of rural women to climate mitigation by being part of the economic cycle is not sufficiently exploited. The economic empowerment of women through climate mitigation and adaptation fosters economic growth and socioeconomic development, reduces poverty, keeps environmental problems in check, and increases the potential for adaptation, which is to the benefit of both women and men. Enhancing the economic empowerment of women is a catalyst for development, which helps boost a country’s economic growth, promotes the socioeconomic development not only of women, but of the entire population, and helps reduce poverty. It is observed that less attention is paid to the potential that lies in the combination of climate mitigation/ adaptation and the economic empowerment of rural women. Yet mitigation or adaptation activities offer opportunities to advance the economic empowerment of women. In particular, this applies to work that is already being undertaken by women or activities in which women could assume a leading role. In developing countries, for instance, women frequently play a major role in the reforestation and afforestation of cleared land and in forest conservation, yet they have hardly ever benefited from these environmental services. The paper addresses the economic empowerment of rural women through climate change mitigation and adaptation. The study recommends that measures to promote the economic participation of women can be integrated into climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. In order for rural women to play an economic role, an institutional, legal and political framework is required that enables and/or makes it easier for rural women to hold their own in the market. Concrete, promising project measures at the local level should therefore be combined with advisory services at the political level related to climate change and the economic empowerment of women, with a view to initiating structural reformÂ

Conservation of forest resources by rural farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study assessed the conservation practices, forest resources available, roles of local organisations in forest conservation and constraints to conservation of forest resources in the area. Multi-stage sampling proceedure was used to select 100 respondents used for the study. Data were collected with the use of interview schedule and analysed with frequency distribution, percentages and mean scores. Result shows that greater percentage (96.7%and 76.7%) were male and between 31 and 40 years respectively. The prevailing conservation practice in the study area were enforcement of law against bush burning ( X = 4.3), legislation against indiscriminate felling of trees ( X =4.1) and restrictions on some areas ( X =4.0). Various forest resources available in the area included: timber (95%) and Bush meat (98.3%). The roles of local organisations in conserving forest resources included: prevention of clearing of forest area for agricultural purposes ( X = 3.3) and provision of forest guards for forest preservation. Constraints to conservation of forest resources included insufficient finance to conserve forest resources ( X =3.4) and lack of local people involvement in conservation decisions ( X = 3.3). This implies that there are many forest resources. Hence it was recommended that there should be provision of fund and involvement of rural people in making decisions for conservation of forest resources in the area

Conservation of forest resources by rural farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study assessed the conservation practices, forest resources available, roles of local organisations in forest conservation and constraints to conservation of forest resources in the area. Multi-stage sampling proceedure was used to select 100 respondents used for the study. Data were collected with the use of interview schedule and analysed with frequency distribution, percentages and mean scores. Result shows that greater percentage (96.7%and 76.7%) were male and between 31 and 40 years respectively. The prevailing conservation practice in the study area were enforcement of law against bush burning ( X = 4.3), legislation against indiscriminate felling of trees ( X =4.1) and restrictions on some areas ( X =4.0). Various forest resources available in the area included: timber (95%) and Bush meat (98.3%). The roles of local organisations in conserving forest resources included: prevention of clearing of forest area for agricultural purposes ( X = 3.3) and provision of forest guards for forest preservation. Constraints to conservation of forest resources included insufficient finance to conserve forest resources ( X =3.4) and lack of local people involvement in conservation decisions ( X = 3.3). This implies that there are many forest resources. Hence it was recommended that there should be provision of fund and involvement of rural people in making decisions for conservation of forest resources in the area