CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS AND ADOPTION OF ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AMONG GINGER FARMERS IN SOUTHERN KADUNA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed climate change awareness and adoption of adaptation strategies among ginger farmers in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select three Local Government Areas and six ginger-producing communities. A total of 150 questionnaires were administered, of which 131 valid responses were retrieved. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The results showed that 80.9% of the respondents were aware of climate change. The major perceived climate-change patterns were erratic rainfall, drought, increased temperature, and flooding. The major adaptation strategies adopted were planting drought-resistant varieties, irrigation, crop diversification, early planting, planting early-maturing varieties and mulching. Binary logistic regression showed that climate-change awareness (B = 1.656; p = 0.007; OR = 5.236), access to extension services (B = 2.129; p < 0.001; OR = 8.410) and educational level (B = 2.486; p = 0.001; OR = 12.009) significantly increased the likelihood of adopting climate-change adaptation strategies. The study concludes that climate-change awareness, educational level and access to extension services were significant factors associated with the adoption of climate-change adaptation strategies among ginger farmers in Southern Kaduna, and recommends improved extension services and farner education to enhance climate-chnge adaptation.