Does Rice Farmers Respond to Changing Climate: Empirical Evidence from Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined does rice farmers respond to changing climate; empirical evidence from Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 70 rice farmers who were administered with a questionnaire. The study made use of primary data and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that the rice farmers were in their productive age, 52 years, more of females, 67.1%, married 58.8%, relatively educated 11.4% and have household size of 7 persons and 16 years of farming experience. Majority of the rice farmers 70%, had high perception and awareness of climate change relative to 17.1% and 12.9% who had low and moderate perceptions. In response to climate change, rice farmers engaged the following; planting improved rice varieties 100%, Insurance 9%, planting of multiple/different crops 80%, livelihood diversification 44.3%, soil and water conservation techniques 84.3% and adjusting planting and harvesting dates 94.3%. Rice farmers also encountered challenges such as pests and disease attacks 85.7%, high cost of inputs materials 100%, unfavorable price fluctuations 64.3% and unavailability of improved rice varieties 80%. Farmers should be encouraged to seek early climate change information and practice more of climate smart practices to mitigate negative destructive effects of climate change on rice production.