Climate Change Perceptions and Smart Agricultural Practices among Goat Farmers in Bassa, Plateau State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Climate Change Perceptions and Smart Agricultural Practices among Goat Farmers in Bassa, Plateau State, Nigeria

 Godfrey C. Onuwa^1*, Mailumo S. Sunday², Ibiyinka O. Ademiluyi³ and Chizea I. Chizoba^4
1,2,3 Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Agricultural Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author

Abstract: This study analyzed climate change perceptions and smart agricultural practices among goat farmers in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires. Statistical and inferential techniques were used for data analysis. The results of the study revealed that the socioeconomic characteristics significantly affected goat farmer’s adoption decisions. The most significant effect of climate change on flock performance was indicated through pest and disease infestation (3.44). Irregular rainfall pattern (3.3) had the most significant effect on grazing land. Semi-extensive systems (3.51) were the most prevalent farm management practice; however the level of adoption of smart agricultural practices was relatively low among the respondents. The estimated Nagelkerke R2 was 0.678, suggesting that 68% of the variation in farmer’s adoption decision was accounted for by the variables in the regression model. Also, all the constraints identified significantly affected their adoption decisions. Efforts to ameliorate these adoption constraints are strongly recommended.

Keywords: Adoption, Goat Farming, Management Practices, Perceived Effects, Socioeconomic Factors

I. INTRODUCTION

There is an interrelationship between climate change and the livestock production [I]. Livestock play a critical role in the livelihoods of many of the rural population, acting as a source of both credit and savings in rural communities that are remote from financial services, providing food and cash income for the urban as well as the rural poor, and for many people offering a route out of poverty [I]. Major livestock systems like goat farming are credited with providing environmental services, including promoting rangeland health (and total biomass) and thereby helping to capture atmospheric carbon and mitigate climate change. Studies by [II] and [III] have indicated that Africa is generally acknowledged to be the continent most vulnerable to climate change. The weather is erratic and unreliable to livestock farmers. [IV] have concluded that the worst impact of climate change is felt by livestock farmers. [V] predicted future economic losses and the increased risk of hunger due to climate change. It seems clear that high climatic variability

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