Climate change adaptation needs/priorities of rural women farmers in flood plain areas of Owerri agricultural zone of Imo State, Nigeria
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Jomard Publishing
Abstract
Adaptation is key to surviving the menace of climate change. This paper investigates adaptation needs/priorities of rural women farmers in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain rural women farmers awareness of climate change, identify perceived effects of climate change on rural women farmers, examine adaptation needs of these women and determine adaptation strategies used by rural women. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 180 rural women farmers randomly selected from a list of 1800 registered women farmers with the Owerri ADP office. Results showed that the rural women were very much aware of climate change as indicated by high mean responses to certain signs such as increase in temperature. (M = 2.31), unpredictable heavy rainfall (M = 2.51), unpredictable heavy winds (M = 2.45) among others. Climate change affects rural women by increasing their work load, reducing their food portions, loss of farm assets, increase rate of diseases/illness. In adapting to climate change, the rural women farmers need as a matter of urgency to find alternative livelihood options (M = 2.68), safer areas to relocate (M = 3.31), access to credits/market (M = 3.34) among others. To adapt, they employ strategies such as crop rotation, planting early maturing crops, engage in off-farm activities, cooperative farming.
Description
A journal article on climate change adaptation needs/priorities of rural women farmers in flood plain areas with tables
Keywords
Climate change, Temperature, Adaptation, Women, Farmers, Department of Agricultural Extension
Citation
Chikaire, J. U., Anaeto, F. C., Ajaero, J. O. and Godson-Ibeji, C. C. (2017). Climate change adaptation needs/priorities of rural women farmers in flood plain areas of Owerri agricultural zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Agricultural & Veterinary Sciences Vol.1(3): pp.185-193.