Abstract

Plantain and banana being one of the priority horticultural crops under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) requires good climatic condition to enhance their productivity. It is therefore necessary, to find out the perception of farmers towards the effect of climate change on production of plantain and banana so as to be able to proffer better solution under ATA. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from respondents. The sample for the study was 40 which were arrived at through random selection of plantain and banana farmers among farmer groups in Ekiti state. The study assessed the personal characteristics, perception of the effect of climate change, awareness and adaptation strategies adopted among plantain and banana farmers in one of the major producing states of plantain and banana in Nigeria. Focus group discussions (A total of 12 farmers within the group) was used to elicit qualitative information from plantain and banana farmers. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The study revealed that 50.0% of the respondents were between the ages of 35 and 45 years, majority (65.0%) were males, 70.0% had favourable perception towards the effect of climate change on plantain and banana, and 60.0% had high level of awareness of adaptation strategies. The study further revealed a significant relationship between adaptation strategies, awareness level (r=0.440) and their perception of the effect of climate change on plantain and banana production. It was concluded that though the respondents had a favourable perception towards the effect of climate change on plantain/banana, their high level of awareness of adaptation strategies can help to increase production. Therefore other adaptation strategies that are not often used among the farmers should be encouraged.

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