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Adaptation Strategies To Climate Variability Used By Farming Households
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Agricultural adaptation has been described as one of the policy tools to
ameliorate the ravaging effects of climate variability ( Kurukulasuriya
and Mendelsohn, 2008). Mendelsohn and Dinar reported in 1999 that from
farm level analysis, large reductions in adverse impacts from climate
variability are possible when adaptation is fully implemented (FAO,
2007). Some adaptation strategies for crop production among farmers
include adoption of efficient environmental resources management
practices such as the planting of early maturing crops, mulching, small
scale irrigation, adoption of hardy varieties of crops, tree planting
and staking to avoid heat burns (Nyong, et al, 2007). There are lots of
challenges facing agricultural adaptation in Nigeria. According to Nzeh
and Eboh (2011) lack of awareness and knowledge on climate variability
is perhaps the biggest obstacle to effective agricultural adaptation.
Onyeneke and Madukwe (2010) also opined other barriers to include lack
of information on appropriate adaptation option, poor access to market
and shortage of farm labour.
Apata et al (2010) reported that
capital, land and labour serve as important factors for coping with
adaptation, stressing that the lack of these factors as well as choice
of suitable adaptive measures constitute severe challenge to
agricultural adaptation. This is consistent with Deressa et al (2008)
report that adaptation to climate variability is costly, and the need
for intensive labour use exacerbate this cost. This therefore calls for
development of various adaptation strategies in order to cope with the
variability in climate. Such strategies focus on managing risks,
reducing vulnerability, enhancing agricultural productivity, protecting
the environment and ensuring sustainable development under the changing
climate.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Recent studies confirm
that Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate
variability and change and low adaptive capacity. Some adaptation to
current climate variability has been taking place; however, this may be
insufficient for future changes in climate (IPCC, 2007). The
uncertainty associated with climate variability is a disincentive to
investment and adoption of agricultural technologies and market
opportunities, prompting the risk-averse farmer to favour precautionary
strategies that buffer against climatic change, particularly as a result
of increased variability and extreme over activities that are more
profitable on average (Barrett et al, 2007). It has been predicted that
many farmers in Africa are likely to experience net revenue losses as a
result of climate change, particularly as a result of increased
variability and extreme events (TerrAfrica, 2009).
The adverse
consequences of climate variability includes damage on arable lands,
livelihoods and biodiversity will take an irreplaceable toll on food
production in developing countries like Nigeria which have a low
capacity to cope and adapt to these challenges (Sha, Fischer van
Velthuizen, 2009). Given the foregoing challenges a study of this nature
will be a timely intervention. Many studies have been carried out in
addressing the effects of climate variability on agriculture in Nigeria.
However, not many of these studies have fully addressed the issues of
adaptation strategies. Enete and Amusa (2011) discussed the challenges
of agricultural adaptation to climate change in Nigeria, but the study
was based on review of relevant literature thus leaving a gap for more
empirical approach to the study of this issue.Enete and Amusa (2011) in
another paper made further attempts to investigate the most
cost-effective and sustainable indigenous climate change adaptation
practices in South East Nigeria but studies covering wider area such as
Nigerian agro-climatic zones and several arable crops simultaneously
appear not to have been documented yet.
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