Effect of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies on Efficiency of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Production in Benue State, Nigeria

The study determined the effect of climate change adaptation strategies on efficiency of rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in Benue State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 498 rice farmers across 24 rice farming communities, 6 Local Government Areas and 3 Agricultural Zones. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier model. Results showed that fertilizer application (85.94%), multiple plots (69.28%) and improved rice varieties (68.27%) were the major climate change adaptation strategies used. The farmers operated with moderate levels of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of 0.69, 0.73, and 0.53 respectively. Furthermore, fertilizer application (-0.113, P<0.01), irrigation (-0.102, P<0.01) and multiple planting dates (-0.114, P<0.01) significantly reduced technical inefficiency. Irrigation also reduced cost inefficiency (-0.081, P<0.01). Improved rice varieties (0.136, P<0.01) and multiple plots (0.055, P<0.05) had less impact on technical inefficiency. Trees planting increased cost inefficiency (0.028, P<0.01). The study concluded that climate change adaptation strategies had significant effect on efficiency of rice production in Benue State, Nigeria. The study recommended that, there is need for government to enhance the capacity of agricultural extension agents to provide targeted advisory services, training and demonstrations focused on climate-resilient practices that have proven to increase efficiency, such as effective fertilizer application, improved irrigation practices and optimal multiple planting date strategies.