CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AMONG MAIZE FARMERS TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jees.2025.0202/008Keywords:
Adaptation Strategies, Climate Change, Food Security, Maize Farmers, PerceptionAbstract
This study examined maize farmers' adaptation strategies towards food security in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to choose six LGAs from the state. Krejcie and Morgan's sample size determination method was used to select 783 farmers, who were purposively sampled for the study. A self-structured questionnaire, titled the Crop Farmers' Perception Questionnaire (CFPQ), and an interview guide, titled the Crop Farmers' Perception Interview Guide (CFPIG), were used to elicit relevant information from respondents. Six focus group discussions were conducted, one in each LGA. A Relative Importance Index (RII) technique was used to determine the relative importance of various adaptation strategies to climate change. The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents revealed that 75% were male, 50% were within the 30–40 years age group, the majority (39%) had attained secondary education, and 72% had lived in the area for 20–30 years. These characteristics are believed to have influenced the farmers’ perceptions and their choice of adaptation strategies. Mixed cropping ranked first among the adaptation strategies used by farmers, followed by early planting, the use of organic/inorganic manure, and the planting of pest- and disease-resistant crops. To enhance food security and promote climate resilience, the study recommends scaling up successful strategies, such as mixed cropping and organic manure use, and fostering integrated farming practices, including mixed farming and crop rotation, to improve soil health, reduce pests and diseases, and enhance overall agricultural productivity.
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