Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Benue State is Nigeria?s acclaimed food basket because of its rich agricultural produce. It boasts of one of the longest river systems in the country with potential for a viable fishing industry and dry season farming through irrigation. Its forest vegetation in the southern parts is characterized by forests, which yield trees for timber and provide a suitable habitat for rare animals. Climate change will create a challenge to its ecosystem and farmers? livelihoods. In this study, farmers? perception and 30 years (1980-2009) meteorological records of temperature and rainfall were compared, adaptation practices and constraints were also examined. The study found an increasing trend in minimum temperature (0.10oC), maximum temperature (0.49oC) and rainfall amount (46.4mm/30 years). This corroborated majority of the farmers? perception. Rainfall was characterized by a shift from the previously known pattern. Bush burning (58.2%) and tree cutting (52.7%) were the perceived leading causes of climate change. The main adaptation options are changing planting date (86.4%) and changes in house construction (83.6%). Lack of funds (61.8%) and inadequate weather information (31.8%) are the main constraints to adaptation. It is recommended that access to agricultural credit and local weather services be incorporated into climate change adaptation strategies for farmers.

Biography

Akindeji Falaki is about completing his doctoral thesis at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He is a Senior Programme Officer at the National Orientation Agency, Abuja, Nigeria. He has conducted many studies on climate change and agriculture and has worked on some rural livelihoods development projects. He is a member of the Nigeria Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST). His research interest is in climate change perception and adaptation, sustainable development, Agricultural extension and rural development.