Abstract

This study examined the adaptation strategies adopted by cassava farmers in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, in response to climate change. The objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, identify source of information on adaptation strategies to climate change, determine adaptation strategies used in the study area, and constraints in using climate change adaptation strategies. A three-stage sampling technique was used to collect data from 120 cassava farmers through structured questionnaires, analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. Majority (54.17%) of the respondents were female, 48.33% had 10-15 years educational qualification, while 41.67% had above 10 years farming experience. Farmers primarily accessed climate adaptation information through interaction with peers (56.7%) and social media (49.2%). Major adaptation strategies included the use of organic manure (x? = 3.04), improved cassava varieties (x? = 3.00), and adjusting land preparation timing (x? = 2.93). Key constraints were high labour costs (x? = 2.95), poor extension services (x? = 2.88), lack of government support (x? = 2.88), and land tenure issues (x? = 2.82). Marital status (t = 2.468, p < 0.05), household size (t = 3.287, p < 0.01), education level (t = 2.864, p < 0.01), monthly income (t = 3.871, p < 0.01), and extension contact (t = 2.314, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with adaptation adoption. The study concluded that marital status, household size, educational status, monthly income and extension contact socio-economic factors strongly influence climate change adaptation. It recommends strengthening extension services, capacity building in climate-smart agriculture, and enhanced government and institutional support through subsidies and infrastructure development.

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