Characterizing the Challenges Faced by Smallholding Cocoyam Farmers in Adopting the Coping Strategies on Climate Change in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Cocoyam world largest producer is Nigeria with annual production of 5.49 million metric tons and it is planted in the South and middle belt zones of the country that are vulnerable to change in climate conditions. This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of Cocoyam farmers and the challenges encountered when adopting the coping strategies of climate change on the production of Cocoyam.  Descriptive statistics was used to describe the socio economics characteristics and Likert Scale was used in capturing the challenges. Data was collected purposively with the use of a well-structured questionnaire with 120 respondents. The results showed that majority of the respondents fell within the active age of 31- 40 and 41-50 with both groups having 35.8%. most of the respondents are male with 60.0%, it was observed that almost all the respondents are educated with 40.8% having tertiary education. Many challenges were captured but lack of infrastructure is very prominent being ranked first followed by lack of proper maintenance and lack of finance also is a challenge to adoption of  Climate coping strategies in the study areas. The result also showed that the total area cropped had been on the increase on the quantity produced and the price of cocoyam/kg had also been on the increase indicating that cocoyam farming is a lucrative business if properly managed. Aids in grants should be extended to cocoyam smallholding farmers to encourage more participation in planting Cocoyams.