Zeitschrift für Biodiversität, Bioprospektion und Entwicklung

Socioeconomic Determinants of Farmers Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change Hazards in Benue state, Nigeria

Abstract

Daniel Izevbuwa Osasogie and Isaac Omorogbe

This study examined the factors that influenced the quality of adaptation strategies of farmers to climate change hazards in Benue state Nigeria. Multi-stage and Probability Proportional to Size sampling technique were adopted to select 360 farmers across the three agro-ecological zones in the state. Data were collected using interview schedule. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The results showed that the farmers adopted strategies with the mean vales as Mixed cropping system (4.41), Use of irrigation (1.60), Use of drought tolerant crops (2.60), Diversification (2.59), Use of improved variety (3.41), non-agricultural income (2.80), Increased use of fertilizer (2.61), Land ownership (43.60%), Membership of an association (2.21), livestock ownership (2.20), supply of pesticide (1.79). The result of logistic regression showed that the educational level of the farmers is a significant (X= 0.603; p<0.050) socioeconomic variable influencing the kind of climate change adaptation strategies adopted by the farmer.