Traditional Perceptions of Climate Change Phenomenon Influencing Adaptation Decisions among Women Crop Farmers in Southern Nigeria

The study assessed traditional perceptions of climate change phenomenon influencing adaptation decision and responses among rural women crop farmers in southern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 420 rural women crop farmers for the study. Questionnaire administration through the use of ODK collect, Focused group discussion (FGD) and In depth interview (IDI) was used to collect data. Analyses of data was done usescriptive statistics and Binary Logit regression. Relatively good proportion (89%) had deliberately taken decision to adapt to climate change with 81% supporting their decision with action by utilizing available climate change adaptation strategies. Approximately 86% indicated that the nature of climate change knowledge possessed affect their response to climate change. The belief that climate change is too complex to understand (X?= 2.83), caused solely by man’s carelessness over his environment (X? = 2.97) and rainfall and temperature variation (X? = 3.07) were the major traditional perceptions of climate change influencing adaptation decisions among rural women. Rural women traditional perception of climate change was found to influence their decision to adapt to climate change. Knowledge building through training workshops on climate change is key to stimulating right adaptation decision and action among rural women crop farmers.

Traditional Perceptions of Climate Change Phenomenon Influencing Adaptation Decisions among Women Crop Farmers in Southern Nigeria

The study assessed traditional perceptions of climate change phenomenon influencing adaptation decision and responses among rural women crop farmers in southern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 420 rural women crop farmers for the study. Questionnaire administration through the use of ODK collect, Focused group discussion (FGD) and In depth interview (IDI) was used to collect data. Analyses of data was done usescriptive statistics and Binary Logit regression. Relatively good proportion (89%) had deliberately taken decision to adapt to climate change with 81% supporting their decision with action by utilizing available climate change adaptation strategies. Approximately 86% indicated that the nature of climate change knowledge possessed affect their response to climate change. The belief that climate change is too complex to understand (X?= 2.83), caused solely by man’s carelessness over his environment (X? = 2.97) and rainfall and temperature variation (X? = 3.07) were the major traditional perceptions of climate change influencing adaptation decisions among rural women. Rural women traditional perception of climate change was found to influence their decision to adapt to climate change. Knowledge building through training workshops on climate change is key to stimulating right adaptation decision and action among rural women crop farmers.

Traditional Perceptions of Climate Change Phenomenon Influencing Adaptation Decisions among Women Crop Farmers in Southern Nigeria

The study assessed traditional perceptions of climate change phenomenon influencing adaptation decision and responses among rural women crop farmers in southern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 420 rural women crop farmers for the study. Questionnaire administration through the use of ODK collect, Focused group discussion (FGD) and In depth interview (IDI) was used to collect data. Analyses of data was done usescriptive statistics and Binary Logit regression. Relatively good proportion (89%) had deliberately taken decision to adapt to climate change with 81% supporting their decision with action by utilizing available climate change adaptation strategies. Approximately 86% indicated that the nature of climate change knowledge possessed affect their response to climate change. The belief that climate change is too complex to understand (X?= 2.83), caused solely by man’s carelessness over his environment (X? = 2.97) and rainfall and temperature variation (X? = 3.07) were the major traditional perceptions of climate change influencing adaptation decisions among rural women. Rural women traditional perception of climate change was found to influence their decision to adapt to climate change. Knowledge building through training workshops on climate change is key to stimulating right adaptation decision and action among rural women crop farmers.

Perception of Infestation Problems on Cassava Farms and Preference for Weed Management Practices in Humid Agro- Ecological Zone of Nigeria

The problem of weed infestation on cassava farms is a major factor for low crop yield. This problem has caused untold hardship on the small-scale cassava farms where production at the subsistence level and where farmers still manage to produce some quantity for sale. The study examines cassava farmers’ perception of problems of infestation and preference for weed management practices in the humid agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Data was collected with the aid of questionnaire and interviews. Random sampling technique was used to select 117 small-scale cassava farmers in the study area. Data analysis was done by simple descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and mean. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents (73.5%) grow cassava for both household use and for sale. The major source of labour identified by respondents was family labour (51.3%). About 55% of the respondents obtained cassava planting materials from the open market. Findings showed that the commonest weed control measures used by cassava farmers were hand pulling (100%), and hoes/cutlass (100%). However, the most preferred weed control measures identified include hoes/cutlass (100%), use of machines (100%), and a combination of methods (100%). Major problems affecting cassava farms as identified by respondents include grasses (88%), broadleaf weeds (66.6%), rodents (64.1%), other animals (63.3%), cassava rot (53.9%) and insect pests (48.7%). Extension education should focus on the preferred weed control measures identified by respondents so as to work out modalities for their adequate use. This can be possible if regular extension farmer forum is ensured

Analysis of Use of Organic Farming Practices among Rural fish Farmers in South-South Nigeria.

The paper focused on the use of organic farming practices amongst fish farmers in South-South Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used and three states (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta) were randomly selected from the six states that make up South-South zone in Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained with a structured questionnaire administered to a sample size of one hundred and fifteen (115) fish farmers. Findings revealed that fish farmers were aware of six out of the fourteen organic farming practices listed. Use level was low in organic farming practices for fish. The result revealed that out of the fourteen (14) practices outlined, fish farmers engaged in the use of three of such practices. Farmers agreed to the use of eco-friendly design (x ̅ = 2.56 and SD = 0.86), site is far from polluting substances (x ̅ = 2.57 and SD =1.01) and pond protection from predators ((x ) ̅= 2.70 and SD = 0.89). From the result, the following were considered not being used; Management without growth hormones ((x ) ̅= 2.41 and SD = 0.89), antibiotics is used in critical cases where no other treatment would work ((x ) ̅= 1.97 and SD = 0.88), cultivate without genetic engineering (x ̅ = 2.21 and SD = 1.18), quality water source (x ̅= 2.14 and SD = 1.09), organic fertilizer (x ̅ = 1.89 and SD = 0.98), low stock density 10kg/m3 (x ̅= 1.62 and SD= 0.98), manage without synthetic appetizer and coloring (x ̅= 1.92 and SD= 1.78), poly-culture (x ̅= 1.98 and SD = 0.99), proper record keeping (x ̅ = 1.98 and SD = 1.10), use of resistant species (x ̅ = 2.43 and SD = 1.00) and natural treatment (homeopathy) (x ̅ = 1.86 and SD = 0.89). The low use of organic farming practices among fish farmers could be as a result of challenges or difficulties in carrying out such practices and lack of awareness of the dangers associated with the conventional practices. It is recommended therefore that training on organic fish production practices be emphasized in Extension activities

Social Media Used by Arable Crop Farmers for Communicating Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Imo State, Nigeria

The study examined Social media use by arable crop farmers for climate change adaptation communication in Imo State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from 285 arable randomly selected crop farmers in the study area. Results showed that arable crop farmer use social media to seek knowledge about climate change, disseminate information to friends, seek climate change adaptation strategies and post-climate change adaptation strategies to farmer groups. However, the percentage of arable crop farmers’ use of social media types was low. Multiple regressions show that sex, educational level and age influenced utilization of social media for climate change adaptation communication. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that farmers should be encouraged to raise concern, make posts and engage in discussions on social media so as to attract and raise awareness of issues of concern among them, other stakeholders and the public. Government, International Organizations and Non-governmental Organizations should organize training on use of smart phones, social media and Information and Communication Technologies for farmers, and farmer groups

Social Media Used by Arable Crop Farmers for Communicating Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Imo State, Nigeria

The study examined Social media use by arable crop farmers for climate change adaptation communication in Imo State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from 285 arable randomly selected crop farmers in the study area. Results showed that arable crop farmer use social media to seek knowledge about climate change, disseminate information to friends, seek climate change adaptation strategies and post-climate change adaptation strategies to farmer groups. However, the percentage of arable crop farmers’ use of social media types was low. Multiple regressions show that sex, educational level and age influenced utilization of social media for climate change adaptation communication. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that farmers should be encouraged to raise concern, make posts and engage in discussions on social media so as to attract and raise awareness of issues of concern among them, other stakeholders and the public. Government, International Organizations and Non-governmental Organizations should organize training on use of smart phones, social media and Information and Communication Technologies for farmers, and farmer groups

Social Media Used by Arable Crop Farmers for Communicating Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Imo State, Nigeria

The study examined Social media use by arable crop farmers for climate change adaptation communication in Imo State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from 285 arable randomly selected crop farmers in the study area. Results showed that arable crop farmer use social media to seek knowledge about climate change, disseminate information to friends, seek climate change adaptation strategies and post-climate change adaptation strategies to farmer groups. However, the percentage of arable crop farmers’ use of social media types was low. Multiple regressions show that sex, educational level and age influenced utilization of social media for climate change adaptation communication. Based on the findings of the study it is recommended that farmers should be encouraged to raise concern, make posts and engage in discussions on social media so as to attract and raise awareness of issues of concern among them, other stakeholders and the public. Government, International Organizations and Non-governmental Organizations should organize training on use of smart phones, social media and Information and Communication Technologies for farmers, and farmer groups