Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Agriculture has become the main stay of the economy of developing countries in the world especially south-east, Nigeria. Rural farmers in South-east, Nigeria have suffered significant losses due to extreme weather events and natural disasters attributed to climate change such as severe flooding, drought, decease and pest attack etc. The responses and reactions of rural farmers to these extreme weather events and natural disasters has suggested that there is a lack knowledge of climate change. This study therefore is aimed at developing strategies that could help enhance the ability of rural farmers to cope and deal with the effects of climate change. Descriptive survey design was considered for the study. The population of the study comprises of 449, 632 registered rural farmers in south east, Nigeria. Again, Enugu and Ebonyi State were chosen as sample states with 510 registered rural farmers from the two states considered for the study while questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) schedule were used as instrument for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean to answer the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that rural farmers in South East, Nigeria lack adequate knowledge of climate change etc. The study recommended that effective strategies should be developed by stakeholders to help farmers deal with climate change. Again, extension agents and other stakeholders should inculcate the right type of skills and attitudes in rural famers to enhance their ability to cope and deal with climate change
