Climate change and Adaptation Coping Strategies among Sheep and Goat Farmers in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change and Adaptation Coping Strategies among Sheep and Goat Farmers in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria was studied. A total of 60 respondents were selected using  multi-stage random sampling technique. Data  for the study was collected using a  structured questionnaire. Percentage responses and multiple regressions were used to analyzed the data. The results revealed that males were more prominent in sheep and goat farming with age range of 41-61 years old. Also, majority of the sampled farmers were married, educated, had access to extension services with household size of 7-12 persons. Also, the adaptation coping strategies adopted by the farmers were use of shade, Use of  nutrient-dense diets , destocking and use of drinking water. Furthermore, the farmers socio-economic characteristics that affected the  adaptation  of climate change coping strategies in sheep and goats production were level of education, farming experience and age of the farmers. In addition, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity were the weather elements that effected sheep and goat production in the study area.   Finally, the factors limiting farmers’ adaptation coping strategies were  poor access to credit, poor access to  information, poor access to extension services and poor government involvements.The need to ensure the  farmers’ access to credit, education and extension services should be enhanced