Utilisation of Climate Information Services by Arable Crop Farmers in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the utilisation of climate information services (CISs) among arable crop farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure combining purposive and convenience techniques was used to select 154 respondents. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule and analysed using frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviation, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation. Results showed that maize (92.2%) was the predominant arable crop cultivated. Weather forecast services (100%) were the most available, and the most accessible CIS (= 4.60). The majority (63.0%) of respondents moderately utilised CISs, with flood and extreme weather alerts (= 3.83) the most applied. Lack of extension support services (= 2.73) was the most severe constraint to utilisation. Accessibility to CISs had a positive and significant relationship with utilisation (r = 0.394), while annual income had a negative and significant relationship (r = −0.338). The study concluded that arable crop farmers moderately utilised CISs and recommends that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and extension agencies strengthen dissemination and support services to improve farmers’ access to CISs