Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology

Abstract

Smallholder Farmers Perception of Climate Change and Variability Impact and Their Adaptation Strategies in the Upper and Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority Areas, Nigeria

Babatolu JS* and Akinnubi RT

The work attempted to analyze vulnerabilities and adaptation responses of smallholder farmers in the Upper and Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority areas (U & LNRBDA). Qualitative data was used in this study. The qualitative data was collected using questionnaire method. One thousand and two hundred questionnaires (1200) were administered out of which one thousand and one hundred and twenty-four (1124) were returned for analysis. The research findings revealed that there is high level of climate change awareness in the study area. A significant number of the smallholder farmers attested to the fact that they were aware of the changing climate-increasing temperatures, unpredictable, erratic, heavy and increasing rainfall, late onset and early retreat of rains. This is validated by the various empirical studies in the region. Smallholder farmers in the study areas really possess knowledge of the impacts of climate change and variability which helped them to cope with climate change and variability. They were able to identify their areas of vulnerability and appropriate adaptation options in their own capacity. It is recommended that the government needs to build on their capacity, knowledge and practices to enhance resilience of the smallholder farmers and for sustainability of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability.