Abstract: This study was conducted in southwest Nigeria, Egbeda local government area of Oyo state. The main focus of this study was to assess farmers’ perceptions of temperature trends and their adaptation strategies. The study was carried out among smallholder farmers which engage in agriculture which is also a sector that is the most climate sensitive and rain-fed dependent in southwest Nigeria. The researcher interviewed 411 households using different methods and approaches including second generation tool of Social Analysis System (SAS2), multi-stage sampling techniques, structured questionnaires, focused group discussion and key informant/in-depth interview. The study revealed that there was an increasing trend in average annual temperature of 0.03 degree Celsius in the past three decades. The study further showed that the farmers’ perceptions of increasing trend in temperature were also in line with the research meteorological data results obtained. Smallholder farmers from the study was found to have different perception levels on the causes of changes in temperature patterns in the past 30 years (1985-2015). It is therefore of utmost urgency stakeholders step up climate actions at all level that will help smallholder farmers that constitute the majority of agricultural production sector adapt effectively to the changing climatic pattern. Effective regulatory frameworks and actions that reduce vulnerability, build adaptive capacity and promote implementation of adaptation and mitigation decisions through anticipatory, autonomous and planned adaptation jointly with smallholder farmers will result in change of perceptions of farmers about climate change. Such actions can also reduce mal-adaptation and can enhance informed action and effective adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers in the region.
Keywords: Climate variability, climate change, temperature changes, adaptation, perception.
Title: Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions on Temperature Trends and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in Egbeda District, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria
Author: Ogallah Samson Samuel, Wandiga Shem, Olago Daniel, Oriaso Silas
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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