Climate change information needs of crop farmers’ in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed climate change information needs of crop farmers in in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.  Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of the crop farmers, identified the sources of climate information  available to crop farmer; ascertained the type and extent of climate change information needed by the crop farmers; and identified the  crops farmers’ preferred means of receiving climate change information. Structured questionnaire complemented with interview  schedule for non-literate farmers were used to gather data from one hundred (100) crop farmers selected using multistage sampling  procedures. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics namely percentage, mean and Likert type scale. The study found out  that the major sources of climate information available to the farmers were personal observation ( x̄ = 3.70), friends and family  members ( x̄ =3.36), television ( x̄ =3.35), and radio ( x̄ =2.52). The highly desired climate information was improved variety that can  withstand extreme weather conditions ( x̄ =2.63), use of herbicides and pesticides ( x̄ = 2.57), pest and disease outbreak prediction ( x̄=  2.41) among others. The most preferred means of receiving climate information were mass media such as television and radio with a  mean score of ( x̄ = 3.35) followed by agricultural extension delivery services ( x̄ = 3.33) among others. Government of Rivers State and  other agencies involved in agricultural extension services should strengthen agricultural extension service delivery as to enable them  meet up with the climate information needs of crop farmers in the state, Ikwerre LGA in particular.