Abstract

The study identified the constraints faced by rural women arable crop farmers in adapting to climate change in Orlu agricultural zone of Imo state. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 80 rural women arable crop farmers for the study. Data was collected using structured interview schedule and was analyzed using frequency, percentages and varimax rotated factor analysis. The study revealed that majority (67.5%) of the arable crop farmers were fifty years and above, 78.4% were married and 40.5% had at most primary education. Also, 39.2% had farm size of less than 1ha, 36.2% have household size of between 4 and 6 persons. Only 5.4% earned above N20, 000 and 18.2% do not belong to any social organization. Furthermore, it was shown that all (100%) of the rural women arable crop farmers are aware of climate change while 31.2% have been aware for more than 10 years. The major source of information on climate change was personal experience (95.9%), radio (85.1%), extension agents (65.7%) and fellow villagers/relatives (64.8%). The factor identified the major constraints faced by rural women arable crop farmers in adapting to climate change as unavailability of farm facilities and lack of adequate information, lack of/or inadequate supply of farm inputs, Poor skills of extension personnel and health status of farmers, traditional belief, land and labour constraints and lack of credit facilities. It was then recommended that Government and other stakeholders should be responsible for the provision and accessibility of farm inputs and credit facilities for the farmers. Also, more training and support should be given to extension personnel on effective sensitization of climate change and practical adaptation measures.

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