FARMER PERCEPTION AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE: A STUDY OF SMALLHOLDER YAM FAMERS IN THE YENDI MUNICIPALITY AND THE NANUMBA SOUTH DISTRICT OF THE NORTHERN REGION

Abstract

The study examined smallholder yam farmer’s perception and response to climate variability and change. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study districts, study communities and the sample size of four hundred respondents. Questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to elicit relevant information from the respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, qualitative narratives, community resource maps, seasonal calendars and a multivariate econometric model. The findings indicate that temperature levels in the study area are on the rise, whilst rainfall figures show a declining trend. The increased dryness is causing yam setts, both planted and in storage, to rot. Mounding, land clearance, planting and overall quality of tubers have been affected as well. Farmers have responded by planting early maturing varieties, moving closer to valleys, using tractors to plough before mounding and engaging in off-farm activities, as adaptive measures. Farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies was influenced by age, educational level, marital status, years of awareness of climate change, access to market and farm distance. The study recommends that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with research institutions identifies heat and rodent proof storage facilities to reduce storage losses. The ministry, together with the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute should also identify early maturing, drought and heat tolerant yam varieties and make them available to farmers. Farmers must also use corn husks, rice and soya bean straw as alternative mulching materials.