EVALUATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN IDEMILI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluated climate change adaptation measures in maize growing households in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State in Nigeria. A total of 120 maize growers were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicated that majority of the respondents belonged to the age group 30-39 years (37.5%), female sex (55.8%), and never married (35.8%). About half of them (48.3%) had secondary school education while 37.5% had 11-14 years of farming experience. Major adaptation measures include early planting (35.0%), crop rotation (34.2%), use of fertilizer (8.3%), use of organic manure (8.3%), improved maize seeds (6.7%), and greenhouses (7.5%). Major factors that hindered adoption include lack of climate information (60.8%), lack of credit facilities (59.2%), and poor extension services (61.7%). Majority of the respondents (42.5%) experienced increase in maize output due to adoption while 69.2% of them reported increased food security due to the adaptation measures.