FARMERS’ PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SELECTED FOOD CROP PRODUCTION IN EDO AND ONDO STATES OF NIGERIA

This study examined the perceived effects of climate change on farmers’ level of food crop production in Nigeria. Edo and Ondo States were selected for the research work. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used. The selection was based on farmers growing the three food crops namely cassava, maize and rice. Chi square test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used to test for the hypotheses. The study revealed the average output of cassava (19.09 tonnes), maize (2.72 tonnes) and rice (4.97 tonnes).The study revealed that the respondents perceived effects of climate change on the following: decline in crop yield (x̅ = 3.07), high cost of food crop production (x̅ = 3.25) and increase use of agrochemicals (x̅ = 3.00). Correlation analysis revealed that the age of farmers had a negative and significant relationship with the perceived effects of climate change (r = -0.16, P = 0.02) at P < 0.05 level. The correlation analysis also revealed that both the average cassava output (r = 0.23, P = 0.00) and average rice output production (r = -0.19, P = 0.00) are significantly related to perceived effects of climate change at 0.05 level of significance. In conclusion, majority of the farmers were more adequately aware of the perceived effects of climate change on food crop production. The study therefore, recommended that there is need for appropriate stakeholders to provide farmers with necessary input in order to reduce adverse effects of climate change on their food crop production.