EFFECTS OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON FOOD PRODUCTION ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Climate change has been a threat to agriculture and arable crops are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects. Thus the need for mitigation on environmental damage by relying on eco- friendly methods, and conservation farming to help keep soil from eroding, preserve land fertility, and save local plants and animals life in Oyo State, South Western Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of climate smart Agricultural practices on food production among smallholder farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Multi Stage sampling was used to select arable farmers in five Local Government Areas of two ADP Zones in Oyo State, Orire local government area 36 respondents, Surulere local government area 220 respondents, Irepo local government area 32 respondents, Orelope local government area 7 respondents, and Olorunsogo local government area 37 respondents based on 13.4% on the number of registered household farmers/village, totaling 332 selected farmers, a structured questionnaire was administered to elicit information from the respondents. The data were subjected to descriptive ,Likert scale, weighted mean score, percentage and frequency were used to analyzed the data. of the study. Awareness of climate smart Agricultural strategies, majority (100%) of the respondents indicated; Crop management, field management, soil management practices, and integrated pest management as part of the climate smart Agricultural strategies they were aware of in the study areas. Extent of use of climate smart Agricultural strategies, the respondents indicated Crop management which ranked First with weighted mean score of 3.84 as extent of use of climate smart Agricultural strategies on food production in the study areas. While Perceived effects of climate smart Agriculture on food production, the respondents indicated the effects of climate smart Agriculture practices can only be confirm by those farmers that applied it, the aftermath effect is reflected on crop yield, ranked First with weighted mean score of 4.89, as perceived effects of climate smart Agriculture on food production in the study areas. The benefits of using climate smart agricultural strategies, the respondents indicated delivers environmental benefits which had the highest percent (88.25%), as benefit of using climate smart agricultural strategies in the study areas. While coping strategies against food insecurity, all the respondents indicated all the coping strategies; borrowed money, borrowed food, selling of assets, accept help from friends and family, and engage in farm labour to obtain food had 100% as coping strategies in the study areas. Constraints associated with the adoption and use of climate smart agricultural strategies, the respondents indicated limited credit and finance ranked first with weighted mean score of 3.98 as constraints associated with the adoption and use of climate smart agricultural strategies in the study areas. While factors influencing the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices, the respondents indicated land tenure (Land ownership status), assess to production inputs e.g. land, capital, seed, fertilizer, chemical, and access to extension services (information/training), had the highest percent (100%) to factors influencing adoption of climate smart agricultural practices in the study areas. Identified factors that influence the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices, the respondents indicated land tenure (land ownership status), access to production inputs e g land, capital, seed, fertilizer, chemical, and access to extension services (information/training) were ranked First with weighted mean score of 3.00 each as identified factors that influence the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices in the study areas.