Gender Differentials in the Utilization of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Rural Cassava Farmers in South-East, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the gender differentials in the utilization of climate change adaptation strategies among rural cassava farmers in South-east, Nigeria. It specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of male and female cassava farmers; identified information sources on climate change adaptation strategies employed by male and female cassava farmers and their perceived effects of climate change on cassava production. Data were collected from 280 farmers selected through multistage sampling procedure with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency distribution; percentage counts; mean score and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results showed that the mean age of the cassava farmers was 47 years (males) and 45 years (females), majority of male (88%) and female (66.19%) were married. 44.2% of the male farmers and 42.86% of the female farmers acquired tertiary education. About 43.07% of the female farmers and 53.35% practiced mixed cropping as their major production system. Fellow farmers were the major information sources on indigenous and modern climate change adaptation strategies for male (97.70%) and female farmers (97.17%). The male farmers identified prolonged drought (, and incidence of pest and disease ( as major effects of climate change on cassava production), while the female farmers indicated increased flooding ( and prolonged drought (. The study concluded that there was no significant difference between male and female cassava farmers in climate change adaptation strategies across States. Hence, it recommended that male and female cassava farmers should form vibrant Farmers’ Association that can come together to share knowledge on the use of sustainable adaptation strategies and to curb the effect of climate change on cassava crops.

Keywords: Cassava production, Climate change, Adaptation strategies, Gender, Rural farmers