ANALYSIS OF USAGE AND DETERMINANTS OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE AMONG FARMERS IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The realities of climate change abound World over but the brunt is felt more in Africa due to over dependence of the continent on Agriculture. Climate Smart Agriculture is the new dawn helping farmers mitigate and adapt to the negative effects of climate change. The study focused on the usage and determinants of Climate Smart Agriculture in Ebonyi State Nigeria. The objectives were to identify the Climate Smart Agriculture practiced by farmers in the study area; analyze the determinants and level of usage of Climate Smart Agriculture in the study area and challenges encountered in the use of climate Smart Agricultural techniques. The study was carried out in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Multi stage and random sampling techniques were used in the selection of 90 respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics and Heckman’s two-stage selection model were the tools of analysis. It was observed that Climate Smart Agricultural practices like use of resistant varieties, mulching, nitrogen management among others were practiced in the study area. Gender, household size, level of education, income, cooperative membership, credit use had varying degrees of influence on the determinants and level of Climate Smart Agriculture usage among farmers in the study area. Inadequate finance and poor knowledge on the proper application of climate smart agricultural practices were the major challenges in the study area. The study recommended more efforts by extension agents in educating farmers on the proper way of using Climate Smart Agricultural practices to ensure optimum results.