Levels and Drivers of Vulnerability to Climate Change by IFAD-VCDP Farmers in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Although a number of studies have been carried out on climate change but the levels of vulnerability of farmers and factors affecting vulnerability of the farmers to this topical issue have not been determined in the study area. It is therefore the aim of this study to fill the gap. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed, however only 96.6% were completed and returned. As such the data analysis was based on 483 farmers under International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) from 10 participating Local Government Areas in Niger and Benue States. Both primary and secondary data were utilized for this study. The primary data were collected via questionnaire administered by trained enumerators, while the secondary data were collected from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, vulnerability index and Beta regression model. The farmers were aware of eighteen climate change variables with assorted levels of occurrences. Based on the level of vulnerability of the farmers to climate change, a typical household in North Central Nigeria is moderately vulnerable to climate change and these households would need awareness and capacity building to upgrade their home grown adaptation strategies. Poverty status (3.0) was found to increase vulnerability while adaptive capacity (-23.8), age (-0.1), education (-0.7), gender (-2.8), distance to market (-0.1), livestock ownership (-0.4), social amenities (-1.9), total livelihood activities (-2.4) and membership of association (-3.8) decreased vulnerability by the percentages indicated in parenthesis. The study therefore recommended that the level of literacy among farm households and availability of social amenities should be critical issues when formulating policy and developmental issues. Government and NGOs should install processes that can enhance the adaptive capacity of the farmers.