Perceived Resilience Capacity of Rice Farmers to Climate Change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change is exposing rice production systems to a range of shock and stress such as more variable water supply, increased pest and diseases and other extreme weather vagaries (flood and drought).  This study determined rice farmers’ perceived resilience capacity to climate change in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed in selecting 104 respondents for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule. Percentage scores, mean and standard deviation were used in presentation of results. Mean age of respondents was 42.95 years while mean years of farming experience was 21.85 years. Findings show that the impact of climate change on rice production includes: reduction in income ( =3.61), uncertainties in planting date ( =3.56), change in harvesting date ( =3.18), loss of rice farm to flood ( =3.09). Results show that areas of rice farmers’ resilience capacity to climate change were: planting improved varieties of seed ( =4.76), availability of soil that retains water longer ( =3.33), access to very fertile soil for rice production ( =3.28) and good amount of solar radiation ( =3.21). However, areas in which respondents’ did not perceive as sources of resilience capacity were: favourable government policies ( =2.37), good marketing policies ( =2.57), access to insurance ( =2.84). It is recommended that favourable policies that help rice farmers cope with negative effects of climate change be enacted and implemented. Such policies should address issues of marketing and insurance of rice farms against disasters such as flood, drought, diseases and pests infestation. 
Key words: Perceived Resilience, Climate change, Adaptation strategies, Rice farming