Tropentag 2022, September 14 - 16, Prague, Germany "Can agroecological farming feed the world? Farmers' and academia's views."

Adptablility of climate smart agricultural practices in yellow cassava and implications in Nigeria

¹Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Nigeria
²Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Agriculture, Nigeria
³Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Agricultual Economics, Management and Extension, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated the adaptability of climate smart agricultural measures of yellow cassava, linkages and implications in Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was deployed for sample selection which brought about 580 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentage, mean scores and beta regression technique. Results showed that yellow cassava farmers were more of males (60.2%), married (80.0%), and relatively educated (60.4%). Major climate change hazards experienced by yellow cassava farmers include increased disease of crop (69.4%), reduced soil fertility (76.7%), and increased insect infestations (51.4%). Assets deployed in yellow cassava production were tractors, mechanised harvesters, and family labour. Again, land tenure systems, family rules, funding agency guidelines, and extension agents were among the social institutions that influenced resource control of the cassava farmers. Alternative to agriculture (75.4%), empowerment programmes (77.2%), engagement strategies, and crop variety diversifications (97.0%), were climate smart adaptive measures utilised in the area. Again, earthing up of cassava plot, change in spacing between plant stands, and change in farming systems were some of the new technologies and skills employed to enhance yellow cassava production. Majority of the farmers, (97.7%) accessed climate information on radio and public places. Further, greater percentage of the farmers (89.0%) had low adaptive capacity to climate change. Age, education, household size, and extension contacts influenced climate smart adaptive measures of yellow cassava. The study recommends farmers to cultivate more of yellow cassava because of its calorie content capacity and seek for early warning information on climate change to avert possible negative consequences.

Keywords: Beta regression, climate change, smart adaptive measures, yellow cassava

Contact Address: Christiana Igberi, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University, Plot 27a Onwe Road Gra Extension Abakaliki, Abakaliki, Nigeria, e-mail: igberitinayahoo.com