Assessment of Climate Change Adaptation Practices of Rice Farmers in Abia state, Nigeria

Egwuchukwu Peace Amah-Jerry

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This study was conducted to assess rice farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The multistage sampling technique was used to select 240 respondents comprising 126 beneficiaries and 114 non-beneficiaries of the FADAMA III project. Data collected were analyzed using simple descriptive tools such as tables, charts, means, frequencies, and percentages as well as econometric tools such as multiple regression, and the Chow’s test. Notable adaptation strategies used by farmers were early planting, planting of improved varieties, the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, adjustments in planting and harvesting schedules, and livelihood diversification. The regression estimates of productivity determinants showed that the coefficient of farm size was positive for the pooled farmers, beneficiaries, and non-beneficiaries at 1 percent, 10 percent, and 1 percent levels of significance respectively. The coefficient of credit was positively related to the level of productivity of the farmers. Extension contacts positively and significantly influenced beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries productivity in rice production. Also, labour and capital were seen to have a negative influence on the productivity of the farmers with capital negatively influencing the productivity of the pooled and non-beneficiaries of the project at a 1 percent level of significance while capital similarly influenced negatively the productivity of beneficiaries and the pooled respondents. The result also showed that there was a significant effect of the FADAMA III project on the rice farmers’ productivity. It was recommended that climate change adaptation strategies be mainstreamed into agricultural policies, plans, and programs designed to enhance agricultural productivity and profitability. Governmental prioritization of programs aimed at improving farmers' productivity, such as the FADAMA program, should be emphasized to support agricultural resilience in the face of climate change.

Keywords

Climate change, Adaptation strategies, Rice, Respondence

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 14. 8. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslava Bavorová, Ph.D.
• Reader: Samuel Ahado, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
International Development and Agricultural Economics