Farmers adaptation to climate change in Ondo State, Nigeria: A gender analysis

Abstract

In combating the problem created by adverse climatic change, farmers in the areas had been introduced to climate change adaptation practices for the purposes of increasing yields for better livelihood and food security. The study used multi-stage sampling technique to collect information from 120 respondentsts. Data collected were subjected to descriptive, gross margin and multinomial logit analyses. Results of the descriptive analyses reveal that the mean age of the male farmers was 46.3 years while that of the female farmers was 45.5 years. The mean farm sizes were 3.8 hectare and 1.4 hectare for male and female farmers, respectively. The results of the gross margin analysis reveal that the total revenue to an average male maize farmers was N101,443.8 and that of an average female farmer was N78,551.1. The gross margin for and average male farmer was N71,905.8 while that of an average female farmer was N58,098. Multinomial logit analysis revealed that credit access positively influenced mulching, irrigation and tree planting practices. Extension visits positively influenced varying time of planting and tree planting practices. Government and development agencies should introduce policies and programme that would enhance strong and virile extension and credit units.   Keywords: Climate change, adaptation, multinomial logit, gender.