Abstract
This study examined the perceived climate-induced problems encountered by urban farmers in Ibadan, the farmers’ responses and adaptation strategies. Primary data were collected through the administration of a structured questionnaire, key-informant interviews and field observation. Stratified random sampling was employed in selecting 244 urban farmers for questionnaire administration. In-depth interviews were also conducted with officials in the Department of Agriculture in the five urban local government areas of Ibadan. The climate-induced problems observed by the farmers included: loss of soil nutrient (48.4%), erosion and flooding (28.7%); deterioration of transport route (7.8%); pest invasion, and high sedimentation of farm lands owing to flooding (1.2%). Unavailability of extension workers (0.8%) was another problem reported by the farmers. The farmers’ adaptation strategies were planting of short-season crops (38.1%); changing of planting dates (25.8%); irrigation (21.7%); planting of drought and flood-resistant crops (10.6%); planting of cover crops (0.4%), and crop rotation (3.3%), with an analysis of variance significance value of 0.264. The study concluded that the farmers’ had a good knowledge of the climate-induced problems on farming activities but need support to strengthen their present adaptation measures aimed at reducing the effects and increase productivity. The study recommended policy support by government in the form of accurate climate information, education and capacity-building for farmers on climate-related issues and the formulation of policies to promote irrigation farming, compost utilization and flood adaptation measures to reduce the effects of climate variability and increase farmers’ productivity.
Key Words: Urban-agriculture, Climate-induced problems, Adaptation strategies, Urban farmers, Ibadan
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