Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Constraints Encountered in Adapting the Effects of Climate Change by Women Farmers in A Typical Sub-Sahara Region Rural Area

Onoh, Nneka Ifeoma, Prof. S. Okonkwo Ogbu, Ubani J. Obinna

Abstract

There have been few documentations of the challenges encountered by farmers in adapting to the effects of climate change in Nigeria especially as it concerns the women and these existing studies on indigenous knowledge base is still fragmented. The aim of this study was to analyze the constraints encountered in adapting to the effects of climate change by rural women in Enugu East Local government area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The research gathered data from a survey involving 400 rural women crop farmers. Employing the Focal Group Discussion and Questionnaire methods, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using multi-stage random sampling techniques. Principal Component Analyses were subsequently employed to scrutinize the gathered information. The result revealed six dimensions of constraints encountered by farmers in adapting the effects of climate change in the study areas and these are: poverty constraints (24.03%); land and more efficient input constraints (18.79%); information and training factor; land tenure constraint (13.34%); labour constraints and the traditional belief/ government factor) 8.097%). This finding alert policymaker the usefulness in providing local-scale guidance on adaptation, thus aiding environmentalists come up with remedial approaches which would ensure that their future planning activities are more inclusive, pro-poor and hence sustainable

Keywords

Climate changewomenruralconstraintsadaptation

References

Adeagbo, O.A., Ojo, T.O., Adetoro, A.A., 2021. Understanding the determinants of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder maize farmers in South-west, Adger, W. N., & Kelly, P. M. (1999). Social vulnerability to climate change and the architecture of entitlements. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 4(3-4), 253-266. Akinbami, F., Akinbami, T., & Ogunleye, A. (2015). Climate change adaptation strategies among women farmers in Nigeria's rural communities. Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 12(3), 199-215. Akinbami, F., Akinbami, T., & Ogunleye, A. (2019). Revisiting indigenous knowledge for climate adaptation: Women's experiences from rural Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management, 30(2), 178-195. Akpene, A. A., & Abdoulaye, T. (2013). Analysis of determinants of adoption of improved soybean varieties among farmers in the Savanna Zone of Northern Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 16(1), 1046-1051. Alibasi, J. (2022). Rural women's poverty and climate change: Challenges and adaptation strategies. Climate and Development Journal, 14(3), 245-260. Anselm A E. (2010) Challenges of agricultural adaptation to climate change: The case of cassava post-harvest in Southeast Nigeria, International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 5(4):455-470. Apata, T.G. (2011). 'Factors Influencing the Perception and Choice of Adaptation Measures to Climate Change among Farmers in Nigeria: Evidence from Farm Households in Southwest Nigeria.' This study is published in Environmental Economics. gov.uk Asare-Kyei, D., Kloos, J., & Renaud, F. G. (2023). Multi-scale assessment of social vulnerability to climate change: A case study of Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 857, 159406. Ayinde, O.E., Muchie, M., & Olatunji, G.B. (2011). 'Effect of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria: A Co-integration Model Approach.' This paper is available in the Journal of Human Ecology. Access it here: gov.uk Bassey, N. (2017). 'The Climate Crisis: National and Global Dimensions – What Can Nigeria Do?'.gov.uk Bast, J. L. (2010). Seven Theories of Climate Change. The Heartland Institute, Arlington Heights, Illinois. http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circles/Lesson-4/Kepler-s-Three-Laws Benhin, J. K. A. (2006). Climate change and South African agriculture: Impacts and adaptation options. Global Environmental Change, 16(1), 6-13. Bryant, C. R., Smit, B., Zilberman, D., Ojima, D., & Izaurralde, R. C. (2000). Adaptation in Agriculture to Climate Change: A Global Perspective. Springer Science & Business Media. Celse, J., & Kensen, S. (2022). Climate change and its impact on African agriculture: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 306, 114395. Cooper, D.R., and Schindler, P.S. (2006). Business Research Methods. Boston, Mass.: McGraw- Hill. Deressa, T. 2008. Analysis of perception and adaptation to climate change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. An unpublished Ph .D. thesis, Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy for Africa , University of Pretoria, South Africa. Deressa, T. T., Hassan, R. M., Alemu, T., Yesuf, M., & Ringler, C. (2008). Analyzing the Determinants of Farmers’ Choice of Adaptation Methods and Perceptions of Climate Change in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. International Food Policy Research Institute Discussion Paper 00798. 19(2) 248–255. IIARD International Journal of Geography & Environmental Management Destaw, F., & Fenta, M. (2021). Barriers to the adoption of climate change adaptation measures in Ethiopia: Evidence from rural farmers. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 13(1), 1-16. Dipeolu, A.A., Ibem, E.O. and Fadamiro, J.A. (2021b). Determinants of Residents’ Preferences for Urban Green Infrastructure in Nigeria: Evidence from Lagos Metropolis. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 57: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126931 Downing, T. E., L. Ringius, M. Hulme and D. Waughray (1997) Adapting to Climate Change in Africa'. Mitigation and Adaptation strategies for Global Change 2: 19-44. Enete, A. A., & Amusa, T. A. (2010). 'Challenges of Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change in Nigeria: a Synthesis from the Literature.' Field Actions Science Reports, 4. Enete, A.A. and Achike, I..A (2008). Urban Agriculture and Food Insecurity/Poverty in Nigeria; the case of Ohafia-Southeast Nigeria. Outlook on agriculture 3(2) 131-134. Etim, E., & Etim, A. (2019). Indigenous coping strategies in Nigeria: A review of women's agricultural adaptation mechanisms. African Journal of Rural Development, 7(2), 98-115. FAO, 2007: A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization regarding the expected effects of climate change on global agriculture, including the potential for reduced agricultural production in developing countries. Farouk, M., & Maharijan, S. (2022). Women and climate change: Agents of adaptation and resilience. Environmental Change and Society, 18(2), 123-140. Goodess, (2013): The study analyzes the implications of increased extreme weather events for various regions, including Nigeria. Environmental Science and policy, 27, S4-S14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2012.04.001 Hassan, R. and C. Nhemachena. (2008). Determinants of African farmers' strategies for adapting to climate changes: multinomial choice analysis. AFJARE, 2(1): 85-104. Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Jacob, D., Taylor, M., Bindi, M., Brown, S., Camilloni, I., ... & Zhou, G. (2018). Impacts of 1.5°C global warming on natural and human systems. (pp. 175–311). Iheoma, C.G. (2015). 'Climate Change and Agriculture in Nigeria: A Review of Impacts and Adaptation Strategies.' This study is published in the Journal of Agricultural Extension. gov.uk John, P. C., Olorunfemi, F., & Olokesusi, F. (2013). Climate change awareness and adaptation in Nigeria: Evidence from farmers in the Middle-Belt Region. African Technology Policy Studies Network, Research Paper No. 15. Kandlikar, M., & Risbey, J. (2000). Agricultural impacts of climate change: If adaptation is the answer, what is the question? Climate Change, 45(3-4), 529–539. Khanal, R. C. (2009). Climate change and organic agriculture. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 10, 116–127. Ladan, S.I. (2014). 'An Appraisal of Climate Change and Agriculture in Nigeria.' This article is published in the Journal of Geography and Regional Planning. gov.uk Lai, C., & Lyons, K. (2021). Climate change adaptation in Africa: A review of case studies from the UNFCCC Nairobi Work Programme. Climate and Development, 13(10), 879–892. Loucks, D. P. (2021). Managing water as a critical component of a changing world. Water Resources Management, 35(1), 1–12. Mendelson, R., & Williams, L. (2004). 'Comparing forecasts of the global impacts of climate change.' Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. IIARD International Journal of Geography & Environmental Management Mgbenka, R. N., & Mbah, E. N. (2016). 'A Review of Smallholder Farming in Nigeria: Need for Transformation.' International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, 3(2), 43-54. Mocatta, G., & Hawley, E. (2023). Media representations of climate change in Africa: A critical discourse analysis. Journal of Environmental Media, 4(1), 45–62. Ngigi, S. (2009). Climate change adaptation strategies in the agricultural sector: A review of the constraints and opportunities. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(4), 432-440. Nnaemeka, C. (2015). Climate change adaptation measures and determinants in the agrarian sector: Evidence from rural farming households in South-East Nigeria. Environmental Science & Policy, 52, 67–73. Nweke, F. L., Spencer, D. S. C., & Lynam, J. K. (1997). The Cassava Transformation: Africa’s Best-Kept Secret. Michigan State University Press. Nyahunda, L., & Tirivangasi, H. M. (2020). Indigenous knowledge and climate change adaptation: The role of rural women in Africa. Journal of Environmental Sustainability, 22(1), 55-70. Nzeadibe, T. C., Osuagwu, L. I., & Nwankwo, C. (2012). Climate Change Adaptation Strategies of Rural Farmers in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 6(7), 391-400. Link: Nzeadibe et al. 2012 Article Nzeh, E. C., & Eboh, R. (2011). Technological Challenges of Climate Change Adaptation in Nigeria: Insights from Enugu State. African Technology Policy Studies Network, Working Paper Series No. 52. scirp.org Ojo, T.O., Baiyegunhi, L.J.S., (2020). Determinants of climate Change adaptation strategies and its impact on the net farm income of rice farmers in South-west Nigeria. Land Use Pol. 95, 103946. Oti. N.N. 2002. Discriminant Function for classifying Erosion Degraded Lands at Otamiri,Southeastern Nigeria. Agro-Science. Journal of Tropical Agriculture, food, environment and extension, 3(1). 56-89 Pappo, M. A., Mocatta, G., & Lai, C. (2022). Climate change communication in Africa: A systematic literature review. Environmental Communication, 16(6), 771–785. Rabbani, G., Rahman, A., & Mainuddin, K. (2022). Climate change impacts in Africa: A review of the scientific literature. Climate, 10(1), 10. Saputra, M. H., & Lee, J. (2022). Climate change adaptation strategies in Southeast Asia: A systematic review. Environmental Science and Policy, 127, 206–219. Shaikh, M. A., Shahbaz, M., & Bibi, S. (2022). Climate change and agriculture in Africa: An econometric analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(3), 4567–4578. Smit, B., & Skinner, M.W. (2002). Adaptation options in agriculture to climate change: A typology. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 7(1), 85–114. Taruvinga, A., Visser, M., Zhou, L., 2016. Determinants of rural farmers' adoption of technologies in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A PhD dissertation submitted to the Department of Teixeira, E. I., Fischer, G., Van Velthuizen, H., Walter, C., & Ewert, F. (2022). Global hotspots of heat stress on agricultural crops due to climate change. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 312, 108699. Tsojon, J. D. (2017). Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Production by Farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Research and Food Production, 2(3), 58-63. Uguru, M. L., Oyiga, B. C., & Obigbesan, G. O. (2011). Genetic Variability and Inter-Relationship Among Some Nigerian Pumpkin Accessions (Cucurbita Spp.). IIARD International Journal of Geography & Environmental Management Umar, O. J., & Ozohu, O. A. (2015). Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Production and Food Supply in Africa. Paper Presented at The International Conference on Latest Trends in Food, Biological and Ecological Sciences, Dubai, October 11-12. Ume, C. O., Opata, P. I., & Nwaobiala, C. U. (2018). Gender and Climate Change Adaptation Among Rural Households in Nigeria. Climate Change and Agriculture 5(8) 1-12. Wang, C. H., Kuo, N. W., & Shiau, Y. C. (2013). Impact assessment of climate change on rice production and adaptation strategies in Taiwan. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 18(6), 857–872. Williams, J. (2018). Gendered perspectives on climate adaptation: Women's role in mitigating climate effects. Global Environmental Policy Review, 26(4), 312-328. Woroniecki, S., Wendo, H., & Brink, E. (2022). Climate change adaptation in the Global South: A critical review of the literature. Climate and Development, 14(1), 1–15.

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT