Analysis of Awareness and Adaptation to Climate Change among Farmers in the Sahel Savannah Agro-ecological Zone of Borno State, Nigeria

This study examined the awareness and adaptation to climate change among farmers in Sahel Savannah agro-ecological zone of Borno State, Nigeria. Data for the study collected from 225 respondents selected through the Multi-stage sampling. A socio-economic profile of the respondents indicated that 48.89% were 45 years of age and majority (78.23%) had educational qualifications below the school level. The study also revealed that a majority (79.12%) of the were small-scale farm holders and more than half (67.56%) had fewer than7 extension contacts during the 2010 farming season. An analysis of the source of change awareness revealed that majority (82.22%) of the respondents was of the phenomenon of climate change. Of that number, extension service and/neighbors were ranked high as source of awareness about climate change, for 47.57% and 232.43% respectively. Analysis of adaptation practices used the respondents showed that planting ahead of rains (97.78%) and planting of cover 80.00% were used most. Analysis of the relationships between some selected-economic variables and the use of climate change adaptation measures revealed educational qualification and the number of extension contacts were the most factors influencing the use of adaptation measures among the respondents. main constraints on climate change adaptation measures by farmers in the study were poor financial resources (86.67%) and unavailability of weather information(77.78%). The study concluded that the majority of farmers were aware of climate change its consequences. The study also concluded that although the majority of farmers engaged in husbandry practices aimed at climate change adaptation, they were by some factors; therefore we recommended that extension education be strengthened to boost farmers’ awareness of climate change and prepare for adaptation measures and that appropriate/indigenous technologies be promoted adaptation by farmers.