Effects of Climate Variations and Adaptation Strategies on Tomato Yield. In Imeko Afon Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate variability is one of the most serious environmental threats facing mankind worldwide. It affects agriculture in several ways, including its direct impact on food production such as production of tomato. This study assessed smallholder farmers’ observable effects of climate variations on tomato yield and adaptation strategies in Imeko Afon. Random sampling technique was used to select 294 tomato farmers from 12 rural communities. The study area was purposively chosen due to its highest number of tomato farmers. Well-structured interview Schedule was used to obtain data on the observable effects of climate variations on tomato yield, various adaptation strategies used by the farmers and also socio-economic characteristics of tomato farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi-square test. The findings revealed that 88.4%, 71.1%, and 68.0% of the respondents strongly agreed that negatively affected planting season,unpredictable timing of harvest and reduced yield of tomato resp ectively were common observable effects of climate variation on tomato production. Chi-square test reveals that there is significant (p≤0.05) relationship between socio-economic characteristics and adaptation strategies used. Therefore, climate variations negatively affected tomato production leading to poor yield and high financial loss in the study area. Using of irrigation system, improved varieties,provision of training, and keeping the farmers informed about climate variation were recommended.

Keywords

• Climate variation
• Small holder farmers
• Tomato production
• Adaptation strategies.

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