Climate change awareness, impacts, and adaptation measures among rural agroforestry farmers in Guma LGA, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Climate change is impacting agriculture in Benue State, prompting farmers in Guma LGA to adopt agroforestry for adaptation and mitigation. This study surveyed 118 farmers across four council wards to assess their perceptions, awareness, and strategies for coping with climate-related challenges such as droughts, floods, and pests. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered online using Google Forms to collect data. The demographic profile revealed a predominantly male (64.4%) and married (65.3%) farming population, with most aged between 18 - 20 years and 75.4% classified as low-income earners. Agroforestry practices were widespread, with 47.4% of farmers having 6–15 years of experience. Agri-silviculture (100%) and alley cropping (98.3%) were the most practiced systems. While 55.9% of respondents were aware of climate change, only 23.7% understood its causes, indicating a significant knowledge gap. Community members (45.8%) and radio (39.8%) were the main sources of climate change information. Deforestation (91.5%) and bush burning (61.0%) were perceived as the primary causes of climate change, with extreme heat (98.3%) and floods (65.3%) being the most recognized indicators. Pests (86.3%) were the most common adverse factor affecting farms. Adaptation measures favored included changing crop sowing times (96.6%), access to irrigation (100%), and market access (79.7%), while technological and financial interventions faced notable resistance. The major reported impact of climate change was decreased crop yield (91.5%) and changes in planting days (75.4%). The findings highlight the need for targeted educational programs, diversified mitigation strategies, and enhanced infrastructural support to improve climate resilience among farmers in Guma LGA.