Assessment of Cassava-Based Farmers Willingness-to-Accept Climate Smart Agriculture in Etche Local Government Area Rivers State

Abstract

This study assessed cassava-based farmers willingness-to-accept climate smart agriculture in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. A simple random technique was employed to select 80 cassava-based farmers with well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, 4-point likert scale and contingency valuation method (CVM) were used for the assessment. The result revealed that the average age and farming experience of farmers were 42years and 19 years respectively, majority (87.50%) of the respondents were females, the average household size was 6 persons and the average income was #300,000. Also, there was a high-level awareness of CSA among the respondents. The CVM gave a supply curve which revealed that the higher the amount of money offered to respondents the more they are willing- to-accept CSA practices in the study area. Majority (19.22%) attested that cost of adoption were their major constraint. It was recommended that extension agents prioritize awareness campaigns and educational programs that provide farmers with comprehensive knowledge about climate change, develop tailored financial products and support mechanisms that target CSA initiatives, training programs should be established to enhance farmers technical knowledge and skills CSA practices, develop suitable policies that will encourage rural farmers to adopt and utilize CSA practices.

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