Climate change adaptive strategies use by small ruminant farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

Chah J M, Anocha I, Irohibe I and Madukwe M C

Climate change adaptive strategies use by small ruminant farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

Chah J M, Anocha I, Irohibe I and Madukwe M C

University of Nigeria, Nigeria

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

The study was carried out to ascertain climate change adaptive strategies use by small ruminant farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Using simple random technique, 90 respondents were selected from two agricultural zones in the state and were used for the study. Interview schedule was used to collect data. Percentage and mean score were used to present data. Greater proportion (54.4%) of the household heads were females, married (53.4%) with an average age of 58 years. Greater proportion (80%) of the respondents had no formal education, and majority (95.6%) had no extension contact for the past two years. The mean household size for the respondents was 5 persons and a greater proportion (53.4%) had secondary occupations. The average herd size of the respondents was 5 sheep/goats, and the average farming experience was 15 years. Majority (96.4%) of the respondents belonged to one form of social organization or the other, while greater proportion (91.1%) had no access to credit. The major adaptive strategies undertaken by respondents in cushioning the effects of climate change on small ruminants were: Regular vaccination, keeping of resistant breeds, regular cleaning and disinfection of pens, building of pens under shades, provision of beddings and mixed farming. Respondents perceived lack of capital/money, limited knowledge on adaptation, poor access/irregular extension services, lack of access to improved breeds, high cost of materials and poor links to input and output markets as major barriers to climate change adaptation. Incentives should be provided to extension agents so that they can adequately educate the farmers on adaptive strategies to the effects of climate change as majority of the farmers were not educated and seemed not to have a good knowledge about adaptation to climate change.