Farmer’s Responses on Integrated Farming as Risk - Averse Mechanisms to Climate Change in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined farmers’ responses on integrated farming as risk averse mechanisms to climate change consequences in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used in the selection of 60 respondents. The data obtained were analyzed with percentage and probit regression model. The result revealed that majority of the farmers are female, while only 40% are male, the mean age of farmers were 44 years and their mean farming experience was 18 years, while 66.7% of the farmers are married. Also majority had primary education and practised integrated crop-livestock systems. Only 18.2% of the respondents accentuated that they experienced lots of weeds infestations due to excessive rainfalls. The two common risk - averse mechanisms employed by the respondents were good adaptation measures; practicing integrated farming systems and onfarm diversification measures. Finally the probit regression result ascertained that HHS and FMEP were found to be statistically negative to respondents probability of responding to integrated farming as risk averse mechanism to climate change consequences while SCH, LNSIZE and AGE were all statistically positive to respondents’ probability of using integrated farming as risk averse mechanism to climate change. It was only attested that lack of technical know-how (way of doing something more efficiently and effectively) and extension contact were their major problems. Farmers should be trained on how to combat risk on their farming operations. Also enough incentives should be given to them by the government.