LEVEL OF AWARENESS AND ADOPTION OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (CSAP) AMONG IRISH POTATO FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the factors influencing the adoption of climate smart (CSA) agriculture among irish potato farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was in selecting 390 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and were analysed using Descriptive and Inferential statistics. The results revealed that the respondents’ major sources of information on CSAP were (84.2%) from television, radio (71.9%), print media, (48.2), and extension agents (37.0%) which were ranked 1^st, 2^nd,3^rd, and 4^th, respectively. Most (93.1%) of the respondents had awareness of increase in temperature, 45.4% and 40.3% of the respondents had awareness of delay in onset of rainfall and increase in crop pests and diseases due to climate change respectively. The results also showed that 35.5% and 34.9%, of the respondents had awareness of increase in drought and shortage of rainfall, respectively. Similarly, respondents were aware of the used of organic manure (72.2%), improved variety of potato (85.7%), adjusting planting dates (79.3%), and shifting to another crop (69.6%) respectively. The results further revealed that the major CSAP adopted by the respondents were the use of using improved potato varieties (95.0%), early maturing varieties (89.0%), and using organic manure (83.0%). The results of level of adoption of CSAP revealed that using organic matter, shifting to another crop, using improved potato varieties and early maturing varieties with a mean score of 33.6, 33.6, 33.1, and 33.0, respectively were all within the medium level of adoption. The study concluded that most potato farmers in the study area rely on television and radio, as primary sources of information on CSA practices, with limited use of social media platforms. Farmers exhibit high awareness of climate change impacts, and are moderately aware of various CSA practices with medium level of CSA practices adoption. The study recommended that Traditional channels like television and radio should be strengthened, while modern platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook should be integrated to effectively reach younger, tech-savvy farmers. Extension agents should organize training to enhance farmers' technical skills for adopting CSA practices. Additionally, governments should provide subsidies or credit schemes and foster collaboration between farmers, research centers, and extension services to ensure access to inputs and updated knowledge on climate change mitigation strategies while farmers should encourage to form and join cooperatives in order to enjoy economies of scale.