Farmers’ Perception and Management of Natural Hazards in Production and Security of Farm Investment in Isuikwuato, Abia State, Nigeria

This study on farmers’ perception and management of natural hazards in production and security of farm investment was carried out in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. The study was sought to identify farmers’ perceived natural hazards in food production; identify adopted measures used in mitigating impacts of the hazards and determined factors that influenced farmers from taking formal insurance policy against these hazards. Sixty farmers were chosen following a multi-stage random sampling technique. The instrument of data collection was via a set of semi-structured questionnaire which was administered by personal interview method. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, 5 point likert scale and probit regression model. The result revealed fire outbreak, outbreak of diseases and pests, flooding, erosion, drought, theft, and ill health as natural hazards experienced by the farmers. The most perceived hazard was fire outbreak and the least perceived was floods. Farmers’ level of education, farming experience, previous farm income and enterprise type were significant determinants of farmer’s decision to take formal insurance. Experienced farmers mitigated effects of these hazards using cultural techniques. We recommended that government should provide a cushion infrastructure in form of dams to conserve floods and flowing streams to provide water for irrigation and ameliorate effects of occasional droughts and erratic rainfall. Farmers on their part should be encouraged by farm extension agency to take up formal insurance policy from designate companies against losses to their investments.