Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Crop Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the indigenous climate change adaptation strategies employed by crop farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. Primary data were gathered from 170 crop farmers across the state. The pretested structured interview schedule was used to elicit quantitative information from the respondents. The data were analysed with percentages and means. The results showed that the chirping of crickets, the appearance of cattle egrets, an army of ants, and the abundance of flying termites were the major agroecological indicators used to predict seasonal climate change in the study area. Erratic rainfall patterns (94.1%) and unusual early rains followed by weeks of dryness (92.9%) were the noticeable features of climate variability. The major indigenous strategies used were Indigenous agroecological knowledge (x? =2.82) and diversifying cropping patterns (x? =2.82). Major constraints limiting the utilisation of indigenous adaptation strategies were insufficient documentation of Indigenous strategy (98.8%) and limited support from the younger generation (96.2%). Most crop farmers had in-depth knowledge of indigenous agroecological indicators in their environment and employed multiple indigenous strategies to cushion the effects of climate change. There is a need to integrate indigenous adaptation strategies with modern scientific knowledge by relevant stakeholders to boost crop production and ensure food security.

Keywords

• Indigenous agroecological indicators
• weather forecasting
• climate variability