Perception, Adaptation Strategies and Challenges of Climate Change among Rural Households in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area Of Kogi State, Nigeria

Climate change is one of the most serious challenges confronting agriculture, particularly, in rural Nigeria. This study examined the perception, adaptation strategies and challenges of climate change among rural households in Kogi State, Nigeria. A two stage sampling techniques was used in the study. The first stage involves the purposive selection of six (6) rural farming communities, followed by a random selection of twenty (20) farmers each from the communities making a total of 120 respondents, the data were elicited with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, percentages, mean distribution and ranking. Most farmers observed change in climate, on their perception of climate change, the result showed that majority (44.9%) perceived climate change not to be severe, 41.5% perceived climate change to be very severe while 13.6% were undecided. On the perceived effects, most (87.5%) agreed to prevalence of pest and diseases, followed by high temperature (85.5%) as the major consequence of climate change in the area. Pesticide application (81.7%) was the major adaptive strategy used in the study area. Mulching (66.7%) is also very common in the area. Lack of government support (88.3%), inadequate extension services (86.7%), lack of finance (83.3%) among others were the main constraints to adaptation adoption in the study area. The study concluded that the respondents were aware and knowledgeable on the issues of climate change. There is need for government to make concrete efforts to enact appropriate policies on climate change adaptation.