MAPPING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON YAM PRODUCTION IN OSE LGA OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study maps the impacts of climate change on yam production in Ose LGA Ondo state” with a view to understanding the impacts of climate change on yam production in the study area. With specific focus on the examine the effect of annual temperatures and rainfall on yam production and availability in study area; the adaptive measures used by farmers to mitigate and cope with the effects of climate change as well as ascertain the challenges other than climatic issues encountered by respondents in yam production in the study area. The data used for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced through questionnaire administration and oral interview. Secondary data included the base mapof the study area. The data were analyzed using SPSS and GIS. The results subsequently revealed among other things that the study further revealed that all categories of the respondents engage in farming except for those below 20years. The study revealed that that most of those engaging in farming are having primary education and they mostly engage in yam production. The study revealed that most of the respondents have stayed in the study area for at least between 6 -36 and above. Also, the study revealed that majority (29.2%) of the farm producers have at least four (4) plots of land for yam production in the study area. The study revealed that majority (33.3%) of the yam farmers have been in practicing agriculture for the duration of between 30-39years. The study revealed that majority (83.3%) of the farmers in the study area noted that they’ve not heard the word climate change before. The study further revealed that there are changes in maximum temperature from the usual temperature in the study area from the usual 29-32oC to 36.94oC. The study further revealed that the average minimum temperature at normal was between 12-14 degree Celsius but in the recent time has increased to 16-17 degree Celsius which cannot support cultivation of yam. The study revealed there has been variation in the amount of rainfall in the study area ranging from 152.49mm in 2018 to 180.615mm in 2019, in 2020 the average amount of rainfall was 157.76mm while in 2021, the amount of rainfall was 206.14mm. The study also revealed that majority (75%) of the yam farmers have observed changes in the climatic variables particularly temperature and rainfall in the recent years in the study area. Furthermore, the study revealed that majority (58.3%) of the farmers are of the opinion that they are very vulnerable to change in timing of rain in the study area. The study further revealed that mixed cropping, mulching, use of fertilizers accounts for the major adaptive measures been taking in the study area by the yam farmers. Similarly, 15.2% of the sampled respondents noted that mixed crop is very effective while 6.3% asserted that it is slightly effective. The study revealed that lack/poor access to disease and pest resistant varieties of crops, lack of access to weather forecast technologies, shortage/non availability of farm labour, high cost of farm labour, lack of credit facilities, lack of transportation facilities, lack of access to farm machineries, poor agricultural extension system delivery, lack of information on climate change among others are the major challenges without any feasible government intervention. The study therefore recommends that government should revisiting past agricultural policies which will be geared towards creating a specific climate drive solution to local government in the study area. Government at all levels should strive in providing necessary technologies in climate and weather forecasting for accurate yam planting, government should provide quality agricultural extension system delivery service to further enlighten yam farmers in yam production and climatic variation currently been observed in the study area. Information on climate change should be made accessible to all farmers in the study area to further prevent any unforeseen loss in yam production in the study area among others.