FARMERS’ DISPOSITION TO SCIENTIFIC WEATHER MONITORING AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS USED IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA 1I
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2024.1003.20Keywords:
Astronomical IKS,, Atmospheric IKS,, Biological IKS,, Climate change,, Cultural IKS.Abstract
Climate-based indigenous knowledge provides farmers with the ability to survive and produce under risks due to climate and other environmental constraints. This study assessed farmers’ disposition to scientific weather monitoring and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) used in rural communities of Ogun State. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted in selecting 250 rural farmers drawn from 6 extension blocks across the four Agricultural Development Programme Zones in Ogun State. Data were obtained using an interview schedule, and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that 79.6% of the farmers were male and 91.2% were married. The farmers’ mean age, household size, farming experience, and monthly income were 57.24 years, 6 persons, 33.65 years, and N32,508.68 respectively. Biological (76.8%), astronomical (54.0%), and atmospheric (58.4%) IKS were utilized as tools for monitoring the weather conditions. Majority (79.6%) had a positive disposition to science-based weather forecast. Chi-square statistic revealed that there were significant associations (p≤0.05) between farmers’ household size (χ2=7.69), level of education (χ2=9.57), farming experience (χ2=14.75) and the use of biological IKS for weather monitoring and forecast of farming season. Also, farmers’ age (χ2=15.58, p≤0.01), farming experience (χ2=9.99, p≤0.05) were significantly associated with atmospheric IKS. Religion (χ2=10.79, p≤0.01) and marital status (χ2=6.17, p≤0.05) had significant associations with the use of cultural IKS for weather monitoring. The study concluded that local farmers were utilizing biological, atmospheric and astronomical indigenous knowledge systems for weather monitoring and prediction of farming season. The study recommended integrating indigenous knowledge with science-based prediction for the farming season.
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