Enhancing Local Sensitives to Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Capacities of Smallholder Farmers: Community-Based Participatory Research

Author(s): Ayansina Ayanlade, Abinmola Oluwaranti, Adewale M. Olayiwola, Oluwatoyin Seun Ayanlade , Margaret O. Jegede, Lemlem Fitwi Weldemariam, Moses O. Olawole, Adefunke F.O. Ayinde
Abstract: Climate change and extreme weather events have led to multi-vulnerabilities worldwide, particularly in many African countries where recent severe droughts, floods, and intra-seasonal dry spells have impacted smallholder farming productivity. This chapter examines crop and livestock smallholder farmers’ sensitivities to climate change and their adaptive strategies at the local level in southwestern Nigeria. Using participatory research methods, we investigated local indicators of climate change impacts and adaptation options being adopted by hundreds of rural farmers. We carried out our three-month study with the support of farmers’ organizations in two major farm communities. We found that nearly 97 per cent of farmers have experienced delays in rainy-season onset and changes in times for the ending of the rains during the growing seasons, and have noticed low yields of some crops in recent years compared to the average over the past thirty years. We were able to derive locally relevant climate change assessment indicators in the study sites, which included such factors as rural farmers’ awareness of climate change, its impacts, and speciﬁc adaptation measures. This research has improved our understanding of how climate change affects smallholder farmers and their socio-economic systems through the documentation and analysis of local knowledge and perceived effects of climate change. The participatory research process has also raised awareness, understanding, and agency in the local communities.
Organisation(s): Department of Geography and Regional Research
External organisation(s): Obafemi Awolowo University
Pages: 49-69
Publication date: 04-2023
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 507003 Geoinformatics
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, SDG 13 - Climate Action
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/18015d3a-ac6d-4024-9fdb-7c3a217b63a7

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