Effect of climate change adaptation measures on the income of rice farmers under the IFAD-VCDP in Katcha Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The effect of climate change adaptation measures on the income of farmers was investigated using multiple regression. Data were generated using questionnaire from a sample of 120 rice farmers across four villages where rice production was predominant using the multi- stage random sampling techniques. The results showed that rice farmers adapted to climate change through the use of changing variety, building water scheme and conservation scheme, early planting, livestock production, change in size of land and irrigation practices. The size of farm (β=21.479 , p<0.01),Quantity of seed planted (β= 0.892, p<0.01), change in crop variety (β= 29.449, p<0.05), number of extension visit (β= 1.676, p<0.05), change in size of farmland under cultivation (β= 1.740, p<0.10), early planting (β= 17.345, p<0.10 and credit (β= 0.000306, p<0.10) were the factors that influenced rice farming income positively while diversification from rice farming to other crop farming (β=-38.727, p<0.01), household size (β= -2.449, p<0.01), labour (β= -0.184, p<0.01), diversification to livestock production (β= -28.340, p<0.05) and non-farm activities (β= -2.449, p<0.05 were found to have a negative effect on the income of rice farmers. Constraints faced by farmers were shortage of labour, inadequate technical knowhow, theft, fluctuation in output prices and changes in government policy. The study recommends policies that will encourage local production, such as strengthening and encouraging the existing extension services. The Federal and State government can set up guarantee minimum prices in order to ensure that farmers have good prices for their products. Relevant climatic agencies should share information on weather and climate to farmers. This will enable farmers to develop better adaptation strategies.