AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PRACTICES AMONG CROP FARMERS IN AGRICULTURAL ZONE ONE, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined Awareness and Perception of Climate Change Adaptation Practices among Crop Farmers in Agricultural Zone One, Taraba State, Nigeria. Climate change poses a severe threat to agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within rain-fed smallholder farming systems. The study area, serves as a vital crop production hub; however, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and mid-season droughts increasingly jeopardize local food security. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting 272 farmers and data were collected using structured questionnaires. The results revealed a predominantly young-to-middle-aged, educated farming population (mean age = 36.28 years; 55.3% tertiary education) operating small landholdings averaging 1.55 hectares. Farmers displayed moderate climate change awareness (x̄ = 3.04), relying primarily on personal observation of rainfall and temperature shifts rather than formal weather forecasts. Active adaptation strategies included This indicates a relatively strong use of soil and water conservation techniques to retain soil moisture and sustain crop productivity during periods of erratic rainfall and dry spells. Other strategies, including mixed cropping or crop rotation (x̄ = 3.07), irrigation or water harvesting (x̄ = 3.06), use of drought-resistant or early-maturing crops (x̄ = 3.05), and income diversification (x̄ = 3.02), were moderately adopted. However, adoption remains hindered by high input costs, inadequate extension contact, and credit constraints. The study concludes that respondents in the study area were aware of climate change which directly enhances farm-level adaptive behavior, yet systemic financial and institutional barriers impede transition to full climate-smart agriculture. The study recommended policy interventions including expanding climate-trained extension agents, establishing localized weather advisories and subsidizing climate-smart inputs to mention few.