Article Citation: Nuhu Ishaq Lawal, P.S. Yaduma, A. Yaduma, & M. Udoh (2019). Influence of Farmers' Education on Their Adaptation to Climate Change for Improved Agricultural Production in Sokoto State. DEGEL: The Journal of the Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies, Vol. 17, No. 1. ISSN 0794-9316
INFLUENCE OF FARMERS’ EDUCATION ON THEIR ADAPTATION TO
CLIMATE CHANGE FOR IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN SOKOTO STATE
By
Nuhu
Ishaq Lawal, P.S. Yaduma, A.Abdulhamid & M. Udoh
Department
of Vocational and Technology Education
Abubakar
Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
Abstract
This
study aims to determine the influence of farmers’ education on their adaptation
to climate change for improved agricultural production in Sokoto state, Nigeria
. The study has 2 specific objectives, 2 research questions and 2 null hypotheses
as a guide. Descriptive survey design with a 4-point rating scale was used. Population
of the study was 15,000 farmers in the Northern zone of Sokoto state. A sample of
400 farmers was selected for the study using multistage sampling technique. Data
collected were subjected to descriptive statistics of Mean and Standard Deviation
to answer research questions and inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation(PPMC) to
test all null hypotheses. All null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 levels of significance.
Results indicate that, farmers’ education has influence on farmers’ socioeconomic
characteristics in Sokoto state. Farmers’ education has influence on farmers awareness
to climate change in Sokoto state. The paper therefore recommends among other things
that there should be an increase awareness to the farmers through extension on the
causes of climate change and vulnerability to enable them cope with the menace.
Introduction
The climate of Sokoto State, and indeed much of West Africa,
is largely the result of the interplay of two different air masses i.e. the moist
Tropical Maritime air mass from the Atlantic and the dry Continental Air mass from
Sahara Desert. The zone where these two air masses converge is known as the inter-tropical
discontinuity (ITD) which has approximately a latitudinal surface orientation in
Nigeria, and which migrates north-south in accordance with the seasons. The prevailing
type of weather can thus be explained in terms of the weather systems associated
with the ITD and its location at any given time. In Sokoto State, as the ITD moves
northwards, the Harmattan gives way to dry but humid weather and then during the
summer months with the ITD lying to the north, disturbance like thunderstorms form
in the moist southerly air mass bringing rain to Sokoto State.
Generally, in most developing countries (Nigeria inclusive),
agriculture is a major economic activity, contributing to food security, growth
and supporting the livelihoods of the rural population. However, agriculture is
particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Rises in temperature pose
additional stresses on crops plants and animals; changes in the precipitation regime
usually lead to increased floods or drought while sea level rise and Stalinization
due to increased tidal surge might reduce the land suitable for agriculture. Developing
countries suffer disproportionally from the impacts of climate change because temperature
and precipitation regimes are often close to the threshold values beyond which crops
fail or animals die.
Consequent upon the above impacts, this paper
suggests some adaptation strategies on the effects of climate on crop production.
Adapting to the climate entails adjustments and changes at every level vis-a-vis
local, national and international scenes.
Climate change is an environmental problem
which poses a clear risk to development. The effects of climate change is pandemic
but developing countries and in particular the poorest segment of the population
are seriously at risk with increasing food insecurity, water scarcity, spread of
diseases to new areas, damage from floods and forced migration due to degradation
of previously arable lands among others.
Climate refers to the condition of the atmosphere
as described by data obtained from repeated observation of temperature, humidity
atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall and numerous other meteorological elements
in a given region over a long period of time usually 30-35 years (PFMS, 2010 pp25).
Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and changes in land cover,
are modifying the concentration of atmospheric constituents or properties of the
earth's surface that absorbs or scatter radiant energy. In particular, increase
in the concentration of Green House Gases (GHG's) and aerosols are strongly implicated
as contributors to changes observed in the past and are expected to contribute to
further changes in climate in the 21st century and beyond.
Thus, climate change may simply be defined
as long term changes in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods
of time which could be limited to a specific region or may occur across the whole
part of the world.
Simonyan (2009 pp89) explains that scientists
assert that climate change harbors many risks, particularly increased number and
intensity of extreme weather events such as unusually heavy rainstorms, cyclones
and hurricanes; changes in rainfall patterns, both in terms of the quantity and
distribution over an area. Consequently, some areas become wetter and are even subjected
to frequent flooding while other areas become drier, and face critical water shortages.
Most cities might experience more heat waves and increased presence of certain air
pollutants. All these could directly have impact on crop production and adaptation
strategies in Sokoto state as they have elsewhere. Thus, climate is a phenomenon
which would have far reaching impact on people's adaptation and resilience (Akande,
2008).
In view of the above and following Sabo (2011
pp92), climate change might have several malevolent as well as benevolent effects
on many components of agriculture such as: crop management, livestock, fisheries,
agro-forestry, soils and water. Furthermore, climate change might result in a situation
whereby abnormal weather might become the norm in many parts of the globe.
On the other hand, changes in climate occur
as a result of both the internal variability within the climate system and external
factors (both natural and anthropogenic). The influence of external factors on climate
can be broadly compared using the concept of radioactive force. A positive radioactive
force, such as that produced by increasing concentrations of Green House Gases,
tends to warm the land surface. A negative forcing, which may arise from an increase
in some types of aerosols however tends to cool the surface. Natural factors such
as changes in solar output or explosive volcanic activity produce radioactive forces.
Characterization of these climate forcing agents and their changes overtime is required
to understand past climates in the context of natural variation (Hassan, 2008 pp28).
Thus, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) has defined climate
change as a statistically significant variation that persists for an extended period,
typically decades or longer (Hassan, 2008 pp29).
Climate plays an important role in agriculture
by setting limits for crop production (Hassan, 2008 pp29). The main climatic elements
in agriculture are temperature, moisture/rainfall, sunlight, wind and evaporation.
Most crops are sensitive to the incidence of high temperature. Air temperatures
between 450 and 550C that occur for at least 30 minutes directly damage crop leaves
in most environments; even lower temperatures (350 to 400C) can be damaging if they
persist longer ( Hassan, 2008 pp29).
Agricultural research institutes like the International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA),National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI)
and others have concentrated their attention on assessing the sensitivity of various
attributes of crop systems (e.g. crop yields, pests, diseases, weeds, etc) the biophysical
aspects of food production, with little or no regard to the socioeconomic aspects.
These partial assessments, most often consider climate change effects in isolation,
providing little insights into the level of awareness of the farmers and how they
are coping with climate change, To better address the food security concerns that
are central to the economic and sustainable development agenda, it is desirable
to also address these aspects of climate change and agriculture. Ebuh (2009 pp38)
reported that the vulnerability of agricultural activities is not determined by
the nature and magnitude of environmental stress like climate change per se, but
by the combination of the societal capacity to cope with and/or recover from environmental
change. Hence the need to assess the impact of farmers education on their vulnerability
and adaptation to climate change for improved agricultural production in Sokoto
State
Climate change and Agricultural Production
The awareness of climate problems and the potential benefits
of taking action is an important determinant of adoption of the adaptation measures
to climate change (Hassan and Nhemachena, 2008 pp. 97). Maddison (2006 pp 26) argued
that farmers' awareness of change in climate attributes (temperature and precipitation)
is important to adaptation decision making. For example, Araya and Adjaye (2001
pp78) stated that farmers awareness and perceptions of soil erosion problem as a
result of changes in climate, positively and significantly affect their decisions
to adopt soil conservation measures. It is expected that improved knowledge and
farming experience will positively influence farmers' awareness and decision to
take up adaptation measures. Improved education and disseminating knowledge is an
important policy measure for stimulating awareness and local participation in various
development and national resource management initiatives.
Farming experience improves awareness of change in climate,
the potential benefits and willingness to participate in local natural resource
management activities. However, Maddison (2006 pp57) stated that educated and experienced
farmers have more knowledge and information about climate change and the agronomic
practices that they can adopt in response.
Research Hypotheses
The following Null Hypotheses are formulated to
guide the study and will be tested using statistical tools at 0.05 level of significance.
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between
farmers' education and their socio-economic characteristics in Sokoto State.
H02: There is no significant relationship between
farmers’ education on climate change on the adaptation measures adopted by farmers
in Sokoto State.
Significance
of the Findings
It is
hoped that the findings through Extension Agents would create awareness among
the farmers on the need for the adoption of improved farming technology that will lead to the increase in yield and
improve their standard of living.
Farmers are the key stakeholders in climate change debate.
However, knowledge of rural farmers about climate change has been noted to be abysmally
low. In making informed decision about climate change, it is of the view that timely
and useful information is necessary about the possible consequences of climate change,
people's perceptions of these consequences, available options and the benefits of
slowing the rate of climate change. Awareness and perceptions of a problem such
as climate change shape action and inaction on the problem.
In today's constantly changing environment, farmers need
accessible as well as usable climate services for managing climate risks and exploiting
climate resources. It has been argued that the world's climate is changing and it
will continue to change at rates unprecedented in human history and that all communities
need to enhance their adaptive capacity to face both present and future challenges
of climate change.
Research Methodology
Longitudinal
survey research design was used for this study. The Longitudinal survey research or Panel study was defined
by Knussan (2014 PP34) as an observational
study which employs continuous or repeated measures to follow particular individuals
over prolonged period of time, often years or decades. Longitudinal survey collects
data that is either qualitative or quantitative. It is one powerful way of learning
cause and effect relationship (Knussan 2014 PP34).
The
instrument was validated by 3 experts from the Department of Vocational and Technology
Education, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, 2 experts from Department
of Science and Vocational Education Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and Extension
officers from Sokoto Agricultural Development Project for both face and content
validity. Ambiguity, adequacy and relevance of the questionnaire items were the
areas touched by the experts.
The
population for this study comprised fifteen thousand (15,000)
contact farmers in the three Agricultural Development
Zones in Sokoto State within the periods of this study. Contact farmers in the
Northern Agricultural zone of the State Agricultural Development Project that are
vulnerable to climate change effects were purposively constitute the sample frame
for the study. The selection of the zone was based on the assumption that the effect
of climate change is more pronounced in communities in the zone because of its poor
climatic conditions, drought and subsequent long period of dry spells in the rainy
season compared to the Western zone of the state, (Iliya et al, 2009). A multistage
random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. In the first stage,
the five frontline Local Government Areas namely: Gada, Illela, Isa, Sabon-birni
and Tangaza in the zone were also purposively selected to constitute the blocks.
This is because each local government area represents a block of itself with eight
circles each. In the second stage, eight circles were selected from each of the
selected blocks to make a total of forty circles for the study. In the final stage,
six farmers were selected randomly from each of the selected circles making a total
of four hundred respondents for the study All null hypotheses were tested using
Analysis Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). All hypotheses were
tested at 0.05 level of significance.
Research Questions
Research Question One:
What is the influence of farmer education on their socio-economic
characteristics in Sokoto State?
Respondents
answers to the research questions for the study were analyzed in
Tables 1 and 2. In the course of the analyses, opinions of farmers were categorized
into two groups agreed and disagreed for better understanding and clear interpretation
of data and their responses were scored using four scales. The analysis is as follows:
Table 1: Influence of farmer education on their socio-economic
characteristics in Sokoto State
|
|
Un standardized Coefficient |
Standardized Confidents |
|
|
Socio-economic Characteristic |
B Standard-Error |
Beta T |
Sig |
|
Education Major Occupation Income of Farmers Farm size Years farming experience Source of Farmland |
.1694 .313 1.115 .524 .080 .368 2.092 .815 .169 .360 .280 .409 |
.131 2.214 .125 2.136 0.12 .219 .139 2.567 .27 .471 ,037 .686 |
.28 .034 .827 .011 |
Source:
Fieldwork 2019
The
influence of socio-economic
characteristics of the farmers on their adoption of modern farming practices to check the menace of climate
change revealed that there is significant influence between
the socio economic characteristics in level of education, major occupation and farm
size; on their adoption of modern farming practices in Table 6. However, the table
shows that there was
no significant influence of socio economic characteristics
of source of farm land and farm size on their adoption of modern farming practices in checking
the problems of climate change. Significant influence was
noticed in the calculation of their significant values.
The calculated significant value for socio-economic
characteristics of major occupation and farm size was less than 0.05 level
of tolerance in each case while it was greater than 0.05 for socio-economic characteristics
of income earning of participating farmers, farming experience and source of farm
land.
Research Question two:
What is the influence of farmer education on their levels
of awareness on climate change in Sokoto State?
Table 2: Influence of farmer education on their levels
of awareness on climate change in Sokoto State
|
SN |
Item |
X |
SD |
Remarks |
|
9 |
Farmers are aware of climate
change |
3.1 |
0.311 |
Agree |
|
10 |
Farmers understood what a climate
change is |
2.8 |
0.431 |
Agree |
|
11 |
Environmental degradation is
responsible for climate change |
3.0 |
0.437 |
Agree |
|
12 |
Farmers have access to weather
information |
3.1 |
0.429 |
Agree |
|
13 |
Farmers have access to weather
information through Extension workers |
3.2 |
0.360 |
Agree |
|
14 |
Weather information is relevant
to you |
2.7 |
0.572 |
Agree |
|
15 |
Farmers noticed change in the
weather pattern recently |
2.9 |
0.387 |
Agree |
|
16 |
There is change in climatic
factors |
3.1 |
0.389 |
Agree |
|
17 |
Farmers noticed change in the
temperature in recent years |
3.0 |
0.664 |
Agree |
|
18 |
Farmers noticed change in the
rainfall in recent years |
2.9 |
0.446 |
Agree |
|
Grand mean 3.0.443 |
||||
Source:
Fieldwork 2019
The
results of 10 items used to answer research question two is presented in Table 7.
From the result, the mean score of the items range from 2.7 to 3.2. This is also
applicable to the grand mean score of 3.0 and standard deviation value of 0.443.
The grand mean suggests that farmer education has an influence on their levels of
awareness on climate change in Sokoto State.
Hypothesis
One:
There is no significant relationship between
farmers' socio-economic characteristics on climate change in Sokoto State
The result of Pearson Product Moment Correlation
(PPMC) presented in Table 9 revealed a calculated r-value of 0.772 and a p-value
of 0.011. The p-value was greater than the significance level of 0.05. The result
therefore shows that there is significant relationship between farmers' socio-economic
characteristics on climate change in Sokoto State. The hypothesis which states that,
there is no significant relationship between farmers' socio-economic characteristics
on climate change in Sokoto State was not retained.
Table 3: Relationship between farmers' socio-economic
characteristics of farmers on climate change in Sokoto State
|
Variables |
Mean |
Std. |
N |
Df |
r-cal |
Sig_(2-tailed |
|
|
Farmer Education |
2.9 |
0.706 |
60 |
58 |
0.772 |
0.011 |
|
|
Socioeconomic |
2.5 |
0.999 |
|
|
|
|
|
Source:
Fieldwork 2019
Hypothesis
Two:
There is no significant relationship between farmers’ education
and their levels of awareness on climate change in Sokoto State
The
analysis of result in Table 10 shows the relationship between farmers’ education
and their levels of awareness on climate change in Sokoto State. The result revealed
a calculated r-value of 0.68 at significant value of 0.023. The sig. value of 0.23
is greater than the alpha value of 0.05 level of significance hence, the null hypothesis
2 that says there is no significant relationship between farmers’ education and
their levels of awareness on climate change in Sokoto State was not retained. This
implied that, farmers’ education on climate change is significantly related to the
levels of awareness of farmers in Sokoto State.
Table 4 : Relationship between farmers’ education on their
levels of awareness on climate change in Sokoto State.
|
Variables |
Mean |
Std. |
N |
Df |
r-cal |
Sig_(2-tailed |
|
|
Farmer Education |
2.7 |
0.788 |
60 |
58 |
0.68 |
0.000 |
|
|
Awareness |
3.1 |
0.457 |
|
|
|
|
|
Source:
Fieldwork 2019
Findings of the study
Based
on the analysis of the data collected, the following the findings were made
1.
Answer
to research question one revealed that, farmers’ education has an impact on their
socioeconomic characteristics and the analysis of null hypothesis also shows that,
there is significant relationship between farmers' socio-economic characteristics
and the adaptation measures adopted by the farmers on climate change in Sokoto State.
2. Farmer education has an influence on their
levels of awareness on climate change in Sokoto State and that, farmers’ education
on climate change is significantly related to the adaptation measures adopted by
farmers in Sokoto State
Conclusion
Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that,
farmers’ education of climate change influences their choice of coping strategies
to climate change influence and adaptation measures to be employed. The implication
of this finding is that, as long as there is increased awareness among farmers on
the causes and effects of climate change and climate variability, farmers will be
able to employ effective measures and adaptive mechanism to deal with the menace.
Recommendations
Based
on the findings and conclusion of this study, the following recommendations are
made.
1. There should be an increased awareness to the farmers through
extension on the causes of climate change and vulnerability to enable them cope
with the menace.
2. Farmers should be trained on the coping strategies to mitigate
climate change impact for increased agricultural productivity. This can be achieved
by organizing special programmes for farmers as well as through extension service.
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