Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Measures Among Small Holder Farmers for Sustainable Crop Production in Ebonyi State (Published)
This study identified climate change adaptation and mitigation measures among small holder farmer for sustainable crop production in Ebonyi State. Three specific purposes and three corresponding research questions guided the study. It adopted survey research design and used multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques to select 108 crop farmers, 36 extension agents and 54 elders giving a total of 198 respondents. Multiple data collection techniques which included questionnaire, oral interview and observation guides were utilized to collect data for the study. Data gathered for the study were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Results indicated impacts of climate change on crop production as delay in the period of crop production infestation of pests, diseases and weeds depletion in soil nutrients, and poor crop yields. Ethno-science adopted by farmers were change of date in cultivation, early planting multiple cropping, dry planting and use of organic manures. While techno-science measures identified by the study were growing of high yielding crop varieties and application of chemical fertilizers. Mitigation measures adopted by farmers as identified by the study were integrated crop/livestock farming and planting of trees in homesteads. It was then recommended that government should provide farmers with resources with which to adapt and mitigate climate change and farmers should accept to be trained to cope with climate change.
Keywords: Adaptation, Climate Change, Farmers, Mitigation, crop production