Cassava Farmers’ Indigenous Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
摘要
Agricultural activities rely most on natural resources and are vulnerable to climate change. Rural farmers make natural efforts to adapt to climate variations through preparations based on natural and capital resources and indigenous skills available to them and their accumulated knowledge of past weather patterns and experiences. Sometimes, they have to forcefully respond to and cope with climate extremes such as prolonged drought, strong winds, and floods. Conscious efforts at proper harnessing and utilization of indigenous preparations and strategies may prove effective at reducing the adverse impacts of climate change on specific agricultural enterprises. Six hundred cassava farmers from the six agricultural zones in Akwa Ibom State were sampled to assess the strategies they utilize to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Various mitigation and adaptation strategies relatively prominent at the various zones were revealed, including a reduction in bush burning, reduction in the spread of animal dung, preservation of rainwater for irrigation, pinning of stems on mounds/ridges, creation of waterways, variation of planting time, and mulching. These strategies mostly inherited from parents and shared by fellow farmers are affordable with high yield and revenue potential but are majorly constrained by inadequate information.