FACTORS INFLUENCING MAIZE FARMERS LEVEL OF AWARENESS ON FLOOD DISASTER ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the factors influencing maize farmers’ level of awareness on flood disaster adaptation strategies in Gombe State, Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 172 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that majority (77.3%) of the respondents were male and married (72.7%) with a reasonable proportion (34.9% and 34.3%) having secondary and tertiary education, respectively. The mean age, household size, farm size and farming experience of the respondents were 34 years, 6 persons, 2 ha and 8 years, respectively. The study also depicts that majority (66.3%) had access to extension services. Less than half (44.2%) had medium level of awareness on flood disaster adaptation strategy. Almost all (98.8%) and most (92.4%) sourced their information on flood disaster from radio/television and personal observation while majority (87.2%) got it from extension agents. Crop diversification (84.9%) and contour terracing (65.7%) were the major adaptation strategies adapted to avert flooding while use of sandbags was also adapted by 59.3% of the respondents. The findings further reveal that farming experience (P<0.05), educational level (P<0.05), annual income (P<0.01) and household size (P<0.1) had significant influence on level of awareness of flood disaster adaptation strategy. The study concluded that farm size, farming experience, educational level and income significantly influenced the respondents’ level of awareness on flood disaster adaptation strategies. It is recommended that Farmers should be encouraged to participate in agricultural extension services which will educate them on the effects of climate change and adaptation strategies such as insurance cover; respondents should be sensitized by the extension agents on the early sign of flooding and different adaptation mitigating strategies to mention but a few.