The Effect of Climate Change On Livelihoods in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria (Published)
Climate change’s detrimental effects on natural and human systems have made it a pressing issue. Despite technological advancements, weather and climate remain crucial in agricultural production. This study assesses the impact of climate change on livelihoods in Oju Local Government Area, Benue State. The research examines climate-influenced livelihood activities, utilizing a systematic multistage sampling technique to select 382 respondents. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions provided the necessary data, analyzed using Likert-type ratings, mean scores and standard deviation. This study aims to contribute to understanding climate change’s effects on local livelihoods, informing strategies for mitigation and adaptation. The findings show that a significant majority (86.9%) agree that the changing climate is affecting human and animal health. Many respondents (79.6%) agree that there have been increased incidences of floods during the rainy season. A significant majority (84.8%) agree that there is a continuous poor yield condition due to high temperature and low rainfall. The respondents’ perception suggest that climate change is having significant impacts on: food security, water availability, crop productivity, livestock management, poverty and migration and conflict between herdsmen and villagers. Based on the findings, the study recommended policies and programmes aimed at addressing climate change, such as: climate-resilient agriculture and water management practices, early warning systems for floods and droughts, support for climate-resilient livelihoods and poverty reduction initiatives and conflict resolution and peacebuilding programmes.
Keywords: Adaptation, Agriculture, Climate Change, Livelihood, Perception
Effect of Climate Change on The Yield of Groundnut in Ajingi Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria (Published)
The study focused on the effects of climate change on groundnut yield cultivation in Ajingi Local Government Area Kano State. Qualitative data were used for the study through questionnaire administration and a purposive sampling was adopted for equal representation of the area. Statistical ration was used to analyzed data and presented in tables with frequency and percentage. The results of the finding show that greater percentage of the respondents were with view of changing groundnut crops with another as an alternative crop due to the decreasing in amount of rainfall and its uneven distribution. The results revealed that Soybean is an alternative crop. Twenty respondents were selected from each ward making 100 respondents to represent the entire population of groundnut farmers in the study area. In this research purposive sampling is used in selecting respondents. Farmers should think to choose the alternative crops when problems arise on groundnut to have continuous cultivation of farm land. New techniques are also needed such as crop rotation, shifting cultivation etc. Local farmers should be given loan/capital to enable them to enhance the production of groundnut. Intensive programmes need to be established by the government to site a large land mainly for production of groundnut since groundnut is among the major cash crops and it’s economic important. Farmers are supposed to monitor environmental conditions and reduce the rate of environmental pollution and climate change.
Keywords: Agriculture, Climate Change, Rainfall, Variability, and Running-mean
Proper Dissemination of Information on Climate Change: A Comparative Study of the Roles of Official and Indigenous Language in Nigeria (Published)
This study compares the roles of official and indigenous languages in Nigeria for proper dissemination of information on climate change. Questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 130 questionnaires were distributed to civil servants in Ibaji Local Government Council of Kogi State, Nigeria to seek their opinions on the proper information flow on climate change in the country through official or indigenous languages. Out of 130 questionnaires distributed, 125 of them were completed and returned. A quantitative analysis was adopted to compare the roles of official and indigenous languages in Nigeria for proper dissemination of information on climate change based on the returned questionnaires from our respondents. The result show that although both official and indigenous languages in Nigeria play significant roles in proper dissemination of information on climate change, people prefer information disseminated to them in their native language(s) to the one giving to them in the official language (English). It is also discovered that most people at the grassroots, especially the illiterates, are yet to be properly informed about the implications and management of climate change and this is due to lack of proper awareness through their indigenous language(s). Dissemination of information on human and environmental challenges such as climate change should, therefore, be done in the indigenous language(s) of the people.
Keywords: Climate Change, Information, Language, Nigeria