Effect of social capital on private adaptation measures to climate change among farmers in Ezinihitte Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Social capital incorporates those social connections that help people to get along with each other and act more effectively than they could as isolated individuals. Several variables relating to social capital such as years of membership in diverse social groups/organizations, number of meeting attendance, cash contribution of members, labour contribution of members, etc., were identified by the researchers. These identified exogenous variables were subjected to multiple regression analysis. Responses by the 125 sampled farmers' on their specific/private adaption measures to climate change were analyzed with 4 point Likert rating scale. Mean of the Likert rating scale was set out as the dependent or endogenous variable. The private adaptation measures to climate change advanced by the farmers in Ezinihitte Mbaise were the practice of mixed cropping, involvement in crop rotation, application of mulching techniques and multiple planting dates among other actions. Based on the result from the multiple regression analysis, the significant variables portraying the effects of social capital on private adaptation measures to climate change were farmer’s membership status to social groups/organizations, cash contribution index by the members, labour contribution index and access to credit. The major constraints militating against private adaptation measures to climate change were inadequate funds/capital, lack of access to farm inputs, illiteracy of member farmer, lack of external support, disunity among group members and conflict among group members. It is expedient that government provide credit facilities to help farmers within their groups’ to adapt favourably to the vagaries of climate change. This will go a long way in reducing the financial constraints faced by group farmers in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

Keywords

• Climate Change
• Social Capital
• Private Adaptation
• Socio-economic characteristics
• Ezinihitte Mbaise Imo State

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