ASSESSMENT OF COCOA FARMERS’ ADOPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN OVIA NORTH EAST AND OVIA SOUTH WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Adaptation strategies are described as patterns of varied efforts organized by people to fulfill the bare necessities and address challenges. Therefore, this study assesses cocoa farmers’ adoption of climate change adaptation strategies in Ovia North East and Ovia South West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics, examined the level of awareness of climate change, examined the awareness and perception of climate change adaptation strategies, identified the sources of information on climate related issues, identified the climate change adaptation strategies adopted and examined the constraints faced by the cocoa farmers in adopting the various adaptation strategies in the study area. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 100 cocoa farmers for the study. Data was collected using both interview schedule and questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive such as mean and percentages and inferential statistics such as Pearson Correlation. The study revealed that respondents had a mean age of 41 years, 90% were males, 74% were married with a mean house hold size of 8 members, farming (78%) was their main livelihood, with a mean cocoa farming experience of 12years and an average yearly income of ₦555,140.35.