Appraisal of the Level of Awareness and Adaptation to Climate Change on Cassava Production in Ondo State, Nigeria
B. O. Akinwalere
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
M. L. Adeleke
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
A. O. Ojo *
Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study carried out an appraisal of the level of awareness and adaptation to climate change on cassava production. Both primary and secondary data were used. One hundred and twenty (120) respondents were randomly selected and interviewed with the aid of well structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The socio-economic characteristics of the respondents were descriptively analyzed. Variables related to the awareness and adaptation to climate change on cassava production was analyzed using Likert scale.
Results from the analysis showed that 76% of the respondents were aware of climate change while 80% were male implying that the respondents are dominated by males. Sixty-seven percent had farming experience of 16 years and above, 30% had primary school education while 15% had no formal education. Various copping strategies such as the use of improved cassava varieties and shifting cultivation method were adopted by the farmers. The study therefore, recommends training on climate change in to agricultural extension curriculum.
Keywords: Awareness, adaptation, climate, cassava.