PERCEPTIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECT ON COCOA FARMERS IN ZONE III OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic factors and perceptions of climate change among cocoa farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria. Climate change threatens cocoa yields, quality, and farm sustainability. Purposive, simple and stratified sampling technique was used in selecting 248 farmers for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The results showed that 93% of farmers were male, with an average age of 44.73 years, and 74.6% had at least secondary education, averaging 11.61 years of formal schooling. Farmers reported several climate change impacts, including increased costs of fungicides and pesticides (x̅ = 3.23), higher disease incidence such as black pod (x̅ = 3.18), pest attacks like capsids (x̅ = 3.22), and cocoa pod and flower abortion (x̅ = 4.67). They demonstrated a moderate awareness of climate change effects, particularly pest outbreaks, yield decline, and crop failure. Most information about climate change was obtained through interactions with fellow farmers. Based on these findings, it is recommended that extension services be tailored to farmers’ literacy levels and incorporate training on climate-smart practices, innovative resilience strategies, and modern technologies. Additionally, diversifying credit sources beyond informal lenders could improve farmers’ financial independence and adaptive capacity. Implementing these measures would enhance farmers’ resilience to climate impacts and boost cocoa productivity in the region.