Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013

CASSAVA FARMERS’ ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN ORON AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF AKWA IBOM STATE, 1Ifeanyi-obi, C.C., 2Etuk, U.R and 1Uloh C. 1Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of 2Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of , Uyo E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT This study examined climate change adaptation measures used by cassava farmers in Oron agricultural zone of Akwa Ibom State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select eighty cassava farmers for the study. Data was collected with the use of structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Adaptation measures were captured using a 4 point Likert- type scale, while the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics namely; mean, percentage, frequency count and a multi variance factor analysis. The findings show that 30% of the respondents were between the ages of 31 and 40 years. Majority of the respondents were female (67.5%), 86.3% married, 90% literate with an average farming experience of 25 years. The result of the factor analysis identified seven major adaptation options used by the cassava farmers namely; use of improved& resistant species and farm chemicals (Factor 1) , use of improved farming practices and information from agricultural extension agent (factor 2), diversification (factor 3), water conservation practices (factor 4), soil fertility and land policies/ practices (factor 5), use of insurance and credit facilities (factor 6), use of weather forecast facilities (factor 7). The study recommended that Agricultural Development Programme should make room for extension agents to visit farmers, create awareness, and disseminate proven measures to boost the adaptive/resilience capacities of the farmers in the area. Keywords: Climate change, adaptation measures, cassava farmers

INTRODUCTION change and agriculture have tremendous effects on In the view of Intergovernmental Panel on each other. Agriculture affects climate change Climate Change (IPCC) (2007), climate change is a through the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) change in the state of the climate that can be from different farming practices while climate identified (e.g., by using statistical tests) by change in form of higher temperature, reduced changes in the mean and/or the variability of its rainfall and increased rainfall variability reduces properties, and that persists for an extended period crop yield and threatens food security in low typically decades longer. Climate change is a income and agriculture-based economies. phenomenon induced by global warming. It is a Therefore climate change has serious impacts on topical issue affecting every facet of the world's the environment, economy and social life of economy. Developing countries such as Nigeria are people, especially the rural farmers whose vulnerable to the catastrophic effects of climate livelihoods depend largely on agricultural change. Vulnerability is explained in line with the activities. It was reported by Mahendra (2010) that acute poverty, governance crisis, and the problem climate change will result in ecological degradation of underdevelopment and so on, which characterize and further threaten the fragility of dry soil and, these economies (Fatuase et al., 2011). Climate have serious consequences for crop and livestock

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Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013 production and food security. Agriculture is the Temperature increases has been said to encourage most assured engine of growth and development, the emergence of new diseases that will be able to and a reliable key to industrialization in Nigeria. thrive in specific temperature and humidity This sector has fallen short of expectations due to (Fatuase et al., 2011). Adaptation is one of the many factors including climate-related disasters policy options for reducing the negative impact of like drought and floods. Out of the major staple climate change (Adger et al., 2003; Kurukulasuriya foods produced in Nigeria, cassava (M anihot spp) & Mendelsohn, 2006). Adaptation to climate plays an important role in household food security. change refers to adjustment in natural or human Cassava is a popular energy food in most of the systems in response to actual or expected climate tropics where its production and yield are prolific stimuli or their effects, which moderate harm or and has several advantages compared with other exploits beneficial opportunities (IPCC, 2001). carbohydrate sources, especially other root crops; it Common adaptation methods in agriculture has high productivity under marginal climatic and include use of new crop varieties and livestock soil fertility conditions, which result in a low cost species that are better suited to drier conditions, raw material (Henry et al ., 2001). irrigation, crop diversification, adoption of mixed Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the crop and livestock farming systems, and changing world (Ogbe et al., 2003), but unfortunately the planting dates (Bradshaw et al., 2004; product is not readily available for consumption. In Kurukulasuriya & Mendelsohn, 2006; Nhemachera times of war, drought or low national incomes, & Hassan 2007; Onyeneke, 2010). cassava consumption increases relative to Studies indicate that Africa's agriculture is alternative food staples such as yam, maize, rice negatively affected by climate change (Grigg, and wheat (Mendelsohn et al., 2006). Cassava in 1995; Pearce et al., 1996; McCarthy et al., 2001; certain forms is a low income consumer's staple. Onyeneke, 2010; Ifeanyi-obi, et. al., 2011). This Although an individual may not increase the may be said to be mostly as a result of dependence quantity of cassava consumed in a year, as national on rain fed agriculture and poor infrastructure income declines, annual average cassava capacity. Unfortunately, the climate change consumption per person increases because more phenomenon may not be stopped as a result of people begin to substitute cassava for more man’s continuous involvement in activities that expensive alternative food staples (United States cause emission of Greenhouse gases (GHG). Eboh Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2001). (2009) stated that even if efforts to reduce Cassava is affected by various diseases and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are successful, insect pests. These pests and diseases include the it is no longer possible to avoid some degree of African cassava mosaic disease, bacterial blight, global warming and climate change. Bearing this in and mealy bug. Green spider mite and larger grain mind, adaptation to the effects of climate change borer also attack dry chips of cassava in storage. becomes very important if the goal of staple food White ants sometimes have deleterious effects on security and better life for rural people will ever be cassava production by destroying the stems that achieved. were planted before they sprout. Climate change Failure to address the issue of climate change and its associated temperature increase will may lead to a situation where Nigeria and other increase the incidence of pest and diseases. West Africa countries incur agricultural losses of

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Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013 up to 4% of GDP due to climate change September. The weather can also support (Mendelsohn et al., 2006). Countries such as appropriate crops all-round the year (Akwa Ibom Nigeria that experienced soil erosion and operate State Ministry of Economic Development, 2004). rain-fed agriculture could experience declines in Oron Agricultural Zone is one of the six agricultural yields of up to 50% within 2000-2020 Agricultural Zones in Akwa Ibom State. The zone due to increasing impact of climate change (IPCC, is drained by streams flowing into Cross River 2007). State, The entire coastline stretches from Uya Oron Research has also proved that cassava as a crop to Uding Uko (Akwa Ibom State Ministry of is not left out in the menace of climate change. Economic Development, 2004). The zone is made Despite advances in agricultural technology, up of four blocks which include, Oron, Okobo, cassava production remains uncertain and average Mbo and UrueOffong/Uruko. The study population crop yield is still low (Henry and Westby, 2001). included all registered Cassava farmers with Climate is an important factor in yield variations Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in (Hershey et al ., 2001). the Oron Zone. Considering the above, there is need to Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in examine the adaptation measures used, with a view this study. In the first stage, out of the four blocks to bring to light the most significant ones as well as that made up the zone, two agricultural blocks were major barriers faced by cassava farmers in adapting randomly selected namely Oron and Mbo blocks. to climate change. It is against this background that Secondly, two circles were randomly selected from this study seeks to identify the adaptation measures each of the selected blocks (i.e. four circles to work used by cassava farmers in Oron Agricultural Zone with). These were Eyo-Abasi and Uya-Oro in Oron of Akwa Ibom State. block; Udessi and Okobo in Mbo block,out of which 80 cassava famers were randomly selected METHODOLOGY based on equal proportion for the study. Data was The study was carried out in Oron Agricultural collected with the aid of interview schedule and Zone of Akwa Ibom State, located in the South analyzed using descriptive statistics such as Eastern part of the rain forest zone of Nigeria. The Frequency, Mean, Percentage and Factor analysis. State lies between longitudes N 4° - 5° and latitudes E 7° – 8°. It lies along the South Eastern RESULTS AND DISCUSSION coastal plains bordered by Cross River, Rivers, Socio-Economic Characteristics Abia and Ebonyi States. Its climate is typically Table 1 shows that majority (92.5%) of the tropical, hot and humid (Akwa Ibom State Ministry cassava farmers were above 30years. The mean age of Economic Development, 2004). The main crops of the cassava farmers was 48years with the oldest grown are cassava, oil palm, maize, plantain, being 72 years and the youngest being 29 years. cocoyam, okro, fluted pumpkin, water leaf, rice, This could possibly imply that the cassava farmers rubber, and raffia palm. The State has a bimodal used for the study were old enough to have been rainfall pattern with the rains lasting, on the able to experience the changes in climate and as average, for eight to nine months followed by a such be able to give reasonable responses to the short dry season. The rains are heavy and begin questions in this research. March and end in November, peaking in July and

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Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013

The Table also shows that 67.5% were female. The average household size was 6 persons. The This reveals the majority of the respondents were result reveals that their household size is fairly females. In line with this finding, IFAD (1994) large and this strongly suggests the practice of the reported that women play a central role in cassava extended family system, which Ekong (2005) noted production, contributing about 58 percent of the is common in rural areas. It could imply that more total agricultural labour in the southwest, 67 family labour will be readily available. Igben percent in the southeast and 58 percent in the (1988) noted that relatively large household size is central zones, with involvement in virtually all an obvious advantage in terms of farm labour activities, namely, hoeing, weeding, harvesting, supply. transporting, storing, processing, marketing and The Table shows that majority (76.3%) of the domestic chores. cassava farmers had access to land below 5 It further shows that about 88.7% of the hectares for their farming activities. This could be a cassava farmers had above ten years of farming reflection of the increasing pressure on available experience. On the average the cassava farmers had land as more people depend on a smaller portion of 25years farming experience. This could imply that land for farming. Also it was gathered from the the respondents had long time farming experience respondents that land in these communities is used and could have over the years acquired wealth of for other activities like building of both residential knowledge on climate change and corresponding and industrial houses rather than only farming adaptation measures for cushioning the effects of activities. These land-use changes could add to the climate change as well as being able to identify deforestation of the area which is one of the likely barriers against effective adaptation. Mapuno et al., causes of climate change. Majority (49%) of the (2008) earlier noted that farmers who have farmers have consumption of product as their major sufficient farming experience could be in better aim of production. position to identify challenges and opportunities on The Table shows that 71.3% of the cassava climate change. farmers had not been visited by agricultural Only 7.5% of the cassava farmers had no extension officers. It could be implied that poor formal education. It reveals that more than 90 coverage by extension agents is one of the factors percent of the respondents were literate enough to contributing to reduced productivity of farmers read and write with at least primary education. This especially now that climate change is adversely could serve as a facilitating factor in respondent’s affecting farming activities . adoption of new adaptation measures. Agwu and Table 1: Socioeconomic characteristics of Anyanwu (1996) in line with the above statement cassava farmers (n= 80) noted that increase in educational status of farmers Variables Frequency Percent Mean positively influence adoption of improved Age (years) 30 & below 6 7.5 48 technologies and practices. About 86.8% were 31 – 40 21 26.3 married showing that majority of the respondents 41 – 50 24 30 51 – 60 15 18.8 were married and could be said to be responsible 61 – 70 11 13.8 and matured enough to give reasonable answers to 71 & above 3 3.8

research questions. Gender Male 26 32 Female 54 68

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Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013

information from agricultural extension agent Farming (Factor 2), diversification (Factor 3), water experience 10 & below 9 11.3 25 conservation practices (Factor 4), soil fertility and 11 – 20 24 30 land policies/ practices (Factor 5), use of insurance 21 – 30 20 25 31 – 40 14 17.5 and credit facilities (Factor 6), use of weather 41 – 50 9 11.4 forecast facilities (Factor 7). These major factors 51 & above 4 5 Level of therefore represent the major climate change education adaptation measures used by cassava farmers in the None 6 7.5 7 Primary 13 16.2 study area. Secondary 43 53.8 Specifically, the items that loaded high under Tertiary 18 22.5 Marital Status Factor 1 (Use of improved / resistant / species and Single 7 8.8 farm chemicals) include: use of improved varieties Married 69 86.3 Divorced 1 1.3 of cassava (0.73), use of pest and diseases varieties Widowed 3 3.8 of cassava (0.85), use of drought resistant varieties Household Size Below 5 14 17.5 6 of cassava (0.82), use of pesticide to control pest 6 – 10 53 66.25 persons (0.7) and use of herbicides to check the high rate of 11 – 15 12 15 16 and above 1 1.25 weed infestation (0.86) Farm Size Items that amplified use of improved farming (hectares) Below 5 61 76.3 practices and information from agricultural 6 – 10 10 12.5 extension agent (Factor 2) include: change of 11 – 15 7 8.8 16 – 20 2 2.5 planting date (0.68), making of ridges across slopes 21 and above 0 0.0 in the farm to prevent soil erosion (0.76), planting Aim of Production of trees in the farm to serve as wind break and Sale 17 21.25 shade (0.76), avoidance of bush burning (0.79), use Consumption 39 48.75 Both 24 30.0 information from extension agents to minimize the Contact with effects of climate change (0.64), and adoption of Extension officer crop rotation measures to control pest (0.71). Yes 23 28.75 Similarly the items that loaded high under No 57 71.25 Source; Field data survey, 2012 factor 3 (diversification) include: intercropping of cassava with other crops (0.67), combination of Climate Change Adaptation Measures Used By cassava production with livestock production to Cassava Farmers in the Study Area increase income (0.58), joining of cooperative Table 2 shows the climate change adaptation society (0.74), and indulging in other income measures used by cassava farmers in the study area. generating activities (0.64). Based on the items loadings of the factor analysis Under factor 4, water conservation practices conducted, seven critical factors were isolated and include: increase the use of mulching to conserve name as the major adaptation measures used by soil water (0.59), plant cover crops to improve soil cassava farmers in the study area. They are; Use of water retention (0.66), and use available irrigation improved/resistant species and farm chemicals facilities (0.89). (Factor 1), use of improved farming practices and

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Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013

The variables that loaded high under factor 5 securing insurance for farm enterprise (0.68), and (soil fertility and land policy/ practices) include: use available credit facilities to increase production Application of fertilizer to improve soil fertility (0.66). (0.75), increase in the size of land(.52), application Under factor 7 (use of weather forecast of manure to improve soil fertility (.75) and move facilities) only one variable loaded high and that is to a better farm land (0.59) use of weather forecast facilities to study the Regarding factor 6 (use of insurance and credit condition before planting (0.64) facilities) the variables that loaded include: Table 2: Factor analysis showing the climate change adaptation measures used by cassava farmers

Variable Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor Factor Communalities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Use improved varieties 0.733 .476 of cassava.

Use pest and disease 0.853 .809 resistant varieties of cassava

Use drought resistant 0.822 0.422 .777 varieties of cassava.

Intercrop cassava with 0.678 0.306 .600 other crops.

Increase the use of 0.323 0.590 0.390 .595 mulching to conserve soil water.

Plant cover crops to 0.428 0.656 .589 improve soil water retention.

Combine cassava 0.576 0.343 0.54 .617 production with livestock production to increase income.

Apply fertilizer to 0.720 .679 improve soil fertility.

Apply farm yard 0.751 0.451 .655 manure to improve soil fertility.

Change planting and 0.687 0.570 .487 harvesting date.

Adopt minimum tillage 0.309 0.499 0.475 .722 operations to prevent soil erosion.

Make ridges across 0.759 .650 slopes in the farm to prevent soil erosion.

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Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013

Plant trees in the farm 0.756 0.355 0.323 .553 to serve as wind break and shade.

Use available irrigation 0.441 0.881 .635 facilities.

Avoid practice of bush 0.791 0.493 0.369 .644 burning.

Use weather forecast 0.436 0.484 0.359 0.643 .704 facilities to study the condition before planting.

Use information 0.643 .700 from extension agents to minimize the effects of climate change.

Join cooperative 0.741 0.405 0.402 .630 society.

Use pesticides to 0.706 .695 control pest. Adopt crop rotation 0.712 0.477 .664 measures to control pest.

Increase the size of my 0.523 0.335 .539 farm.

Indulge in other income 0.646 .594 generating activities.

Move to a better farm 0.493 0.591 .575 land.

Use herbicides to check 0.864 0.410 0.383 0.492 .698 the high rate of weed infestation.

Secure insurance for 0.566 0.415 0.684 .681 my farm enterprise.

Use available credit 0.530 0.415 0.658 .475 facilities to increase production.

Eigen value 4.407 2.827 2.458 2.100 1.850 1.485 1.317

Percentage variance 16.948 10.871 9.453 8.077 7.116 5.710 5.066

Cumulative 16.948 27.820 37.272 45.350 52.466 58.176 63.242 percentage Source: Field survey data, 2012 Factor 1 = Use of improved / resistant / species and farm chemicals, Factor 2 = Use of improved farming practices and information from agricultural extension agent, Factor 3 = Diversification, Factor 4 = Water

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Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 14, No. 1, October 2013 conservation practices, Factor 5 = Soil fertility and favourable land policy/ practices, Factor 6 = Use of insurance and credit facilities, and Factor 7 = Use of weather forecast facilities

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Agwu, E. A. and Anyanwu, A. C. (1996).Socio- Conclusion Cultural and Environmental Constraints In Climate change is perhaps the most serious Implementing The NALDA Program In environmental threat to the fight against hunger, South Eastern Nigeria. A case study of malnutrition, disease and poverty in Africa, Abia and State. Journal of essentially because of its impact on agricultural agriculture and education 2: 68 - 72 productivity. The study identified climate change Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture and adaptation measures in Oron Agricultural zone of Rural Development (2004). AkwaIbom State. Based on the results of the study, Overview of agriculture in Akwa it concluded that the major adaptation measure Ibom State. A Manual of the Ministry of used by farmers in the area is the use of improved / Agriculture, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria resistant / species and farm chemicals. Based on the Asher et al. ( 1980).Nutritional requirements of findings of the study the following cassava.Australian Institute of Agricultural recommendations were made: Research, Canberra, Australia. 1. Agricultural development programme Bradshaw, B., Dolan H. and Smith B. (2004).Farm- should make room for extension agents to level adaptation to Climatic Variability visit farmers, create awareness, and and Change: Crop Diversification in the disseminate proven measures to boost the Canadian Prairies. Climatic Change Vol . adaptive/resilience capacities of the 67. farmers in the area Ekong, E. E. (1988). Introduction to Rural 2. The Government should provide Sociology . Published by Concept affordable improved/resistant/species and Publications Press farm chemicals for farmers in the area to Limited.Ishomolu, . adapt to the effects of climate change Fatuase, A.I., and Ajibefun, A.I. instead of providing loans which may not (2011).Determinant of Cassava Farmer’s or never be used by the farmers for Strategies for Adapting to production. Climate Change in , Nigeria. 3. Policy makers should formulate relevant Research Paper No. 234. and useful policies that will strengthen Department of Agricultural Economics cassava farmers adaptive capacity in the and Extension, Federal University of study area Technology, Akure, , Nigeria. REFERENCES Grigg, D. (1995). An Introduction to Agricultural Adger, W. N., Huq, S., Brown, K., Conway, D. and Geography . Routledge: London. P217. Hulme, M. (2003). Adaptation to Climate Henry, G. and Westby, A. (2001). “Global cassava Change in the Developing World. starch markets current situation and Progress in Development Studies No. 3. outlook” in Cassava's Potential in Asia in the 21st Century: Present Situation and

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Countries ” Environment and Development Southeast Rainforest Zone of Nigeria. Economics 11: 1-20 . Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis submitted to Nhemachena, C. and Hassan, R. (2007).Micro- the Department of Agricultural Level Analysis of Farmers’ Adaptation to Economics, Imo State University , Climate Change in Southern Africa. IFPRI Nigeria, p112. Discussion Paper No. 00714. International Pearce, D., Cline, W., Achanta, A., Fankhauser, S., Food Policy Research Institute. Pachauri, R., Tol, R. and Vellinga, P. Washington DC. (1996). The Social Costs of Climate Ogbe, F.O, and Olojede, A.O (2003) Economic Change: Greenhouse Damage and performance of improved cassava variety Benefits of Control. In Climate change (NR8082) and local best (NWAIBIBI) 1995: Economic and Social Conference paper. Dimensions of Climate Change , ed. J. Onyeneke, R. U. (2010). Climate Change and Crop Bruce, H. Lee, and E. Haites. Cambridge: Farmers’ Adaptation Measures in the Cambridge University Press. P145 – 167

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