Climate Change And Rural Farmers’ Water Shortage Coping Mechanisms In Idemili North Agricultural Block, Anambra State, Nigeria

Globally, climate change is a topical environmental issue because of its impacts on ecosystems and communities. Rural farmers suffer most due to low incomes, technological/institutional capacity to adapt to these changes and greater reliance on climate-sensitive renewable natural resources like water. This study therefore investigated rural farmers’ water shortage coping strategies in Idemili North agricultural block, Anambra State. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 110 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaire and analyzed using means, percentages, and multinomial logistic regression. Major water sources available were: boreholes (95.5%), rainwater (90.0%), and streams (87.3%). Main perceived effects of climate change on water sources were: change in water quality (x̅=4.48), change in water colour (x̅=4.40), change in quantity of surface water run-off (x̅=3.98), reduction in the number of water sources (x̅=3.60), and rising water levels resulting in flooding (x̅=3.54). Significant coping strategies adopted were: water harvesting and storage (x̅=4.78), reducing the quantity of water for both domestic agricultural purposes (x̅= 4.56), planting trees around water catchment areas (x̅=4.20) and trekking long distances in search of water (x̅=4.06). Local based development organizations should mobilize rural farmers and empower them with knowledge and skills to sustainably use and conserve water for agriculture and other purposes.