Determinants of the Choice of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change by Cocoyam Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Climate change is unpredictable changes of the elements of weather over long periods, with undesirable effects on food security. Farmers have devised adaptation strategies to that effect and the choice of employing any of the adaptation options are usually influenced by the farmers socio-economic characteristics. To that effect, socio economic factors affecting the choice of adaptation methods to climate change by cocoyam farmers in Abia State, Nigeria was studied using 480 respondents. Primary data were collected through use of structured questionnaire and oral interview. Percentages responses and multinomial logit model were used to address the objectives of the study. The result of adaptation strategies to climate change used by cocoyam farmers were organic manure, early planting, changing of harvesting date, and use of resistant varieties. Also, the result of the multinomial logit model analysis showed that the coefficients of farmers’ educational level, access to extension services and membership of organization were significant and positive to choose of adaptation. The need to enhance farmers’ access to educational programmes, extension services and need to encourage farmers to join or form cooperatives were recommended.