Compound farming under a changing climate: Evidence from Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State

Abstract

The study assessed effects of climate change on compound farming in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers state, A two-stage  sampling techniques was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data for the study was collected with the aid of questionnaire complemented with interview schedule and analysed using descriptive statistics namely percentages, frequency and mean. The result of the study showed that females (57%) engaged in compound farming more than their male counterparts with an average age of 48years and household size of mainly 2 to 5 persons. Majority of the compound farmers had no formal education (44%). Crop production (81%) was the major farming activity engaged in by the compound farmers with cassava (80%) as the major crop cultivated. Result showed that the compound farmers perceive climate change to be increase in atmospheric temperature (Mean=3.5), increase in rainfall (Mean=3.4) and fluctuation in rainfall pattern (Mean=3.2). The major effects of climate change on compound farming in the study area include reduction in crop yield (95%), decrease in overall family income (95%), unpredictable planting time/season (100%), increase weed infestation (100%) and unusual crop pest and disease infestation (97%). More Extension coverage and provision of improved seedlings will help strengthen farmers capacity to overcome the effects of the change in climate. Formation of farmers association will immensely contribute in building the capacity of compound farmers in climate change hence overcome the effects more effectively.