Assessment Of Climate Change Mitigation Practices Among Arable Crop Farmers

1.2 Statement of the Problem

It has been predicted that the resultant increase in temperature due to climate change will accelerate physiological development resulting in hastened maturation and reduced yield (FAO, 2005). It is also a well known fact that the occurrence of moisture stress resulting from drought, during flowing, pollination and grain filling is harmful to most arable crops. Growing seasons are expected to become shorter as temperature increases e.g rice yield starts decreasing at over 340c. It has also been noted that food production in Africa could half by 2020 (IPCC, 2007). Furthermore, extreme weather events (climate change) such as thunder storm, flood, heavy rainfall and heavy wind are detrimental to agricultural activities in crops, livestock and humans. These often lead to failure of crops and incidence of pests and diseases due to migration in response to climate change and variation. 

Nigeria is an Agrarian Economy with 75% small farmers accounting for the nation’s agricultural output (Bello, 2009). There are about 200,000 largely peasant farm families in Edo State who produce 80% of the crops consumed (www.edostate.gov.ng/commercialagriculture). Most of these farmers depend solely on the natural weather conditions for production and therefore need effective adaptive and mitigating measures to cope with these changes. The Edo state ADP and intervention programmes like National Fadama Development Project (NFDP), National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) and NGOs are in place to deliver extension services to farmers in all aspects of agriculture. However, it could not be categorically stated that they disseminate climate change adaptation and mitigation practices/information to farmers particularly on arable crops. Hence, this study is conducted to assess the climate mitigation practices among arable crop farmers in Edo Central Zone, Edo State Nigeria

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to assess the climate mitigation practices among arable crop farmers in Edo Central Zone, Edo State Nigeria

Specific objectives include;

i. Examine the socio-economic characteristics of arable crop farmers in the study area; 

ii. Assess farmers awareness of climate change issues;

iii. Examine the effect of climate change on arable crop production;

iv. Examine the adaptive and mitigating measures used by the farmers, how often they are used and how effective they are; 

v. Identify the constraints to the use of these measures

1.4 Research Questions

i. What are the socio-economic characteristics of arable crop farmers in the study area?

ii. Are the farmers aware of climate change issues?

iii. In what ways is arable crop production affected by climate change?

iv. What is the extent of usage and effectiveness of the mitigating and adaptive measures employed by the farmers?

v. What are the challenges faced in using these measures?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Hypothesis I

H0: There is no significant relationship between respondents socio-economic characteristics and awareness of climate change issues

H1: There is a significant relationship between respondents socio-economic characteristics and awareness of climate change issues

Hypothesis II

H0: There is no significant relationship between respondent socio-economic characteristics and the perceived effect of climate change

H1: There is a significant relationship between respondent socio-economic characteristics and the perceived effect of climate change

Hypothesis III

H0: There is no significant relationship between respondents socio-economic characteristics and the perceived effectiveness of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices.

H1: There is a significant relationship between respondents socio-economic characteristics and the perceived effectiveness of climate change mitigation and adaptation practices.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work.
This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is on the assessment of the climate mitigation practices among arable crop farmers in Edo Central Zone, Edo State Nigeria

1.8 Limitations of the study

The demanding schedule of respondents at work made it very difficult getting the respondents to participate in the survey. As a result, retrieving copies of questionnaire in timely fashion is very challenging. Also, the researcher is a student and therefore has limited time as well as resources in covering extensive literature available in conducting this research. Information provided by the researcher may not hold true for all institutions but is restricted to the selected organization used as a study in this research especially in the locality where this study is being conducted. 

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

Finally, the researcher is restricted only to the evidence provided by the participants in the research and therefore cannot determine the reliability and accuracy of the information provided.

1.9 Definition of Terms
Climate Change:Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. The cause of current climate change is largely human activity, like burning fossil fuels, like natural gas, oil, and coal. Burning these materials releases what are called greenhouse gases into Earth's atmosphere.

Mitigation Practices:Mitigation means reducing risk of loss from the occurrence of any undesirable event. This is an important element for any insurance business so as to avoid unnecessary losses. Description: In general, mitigation means to minimize degree of any loss or harm.

Arable Crop Farming:Arable farming involves growing crops such as wheat and barley rather than keeping animals or growing fruit and vegetables. Arable land is land that is used for arable farming.