ARABLE CROP FARMERS’ CLIMATE MITIGATION STRATEGIES THROUGH ORGANIC FARMING IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed arable crop farmers’ climate mitigation strategies through organic farming in South West, Nigeria. It evaluated arable crop farmers’ perception, examined the benefits, and described the constraints. A multi stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 381 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaire, structured interview schedule, FGD and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Regression Analysis. The study revealed that farmers’ had positive perception, “cover crops reduces evaporation” as the highest (W̄ 4.81). It was observed that arable crop farmers’ most practiced climate mitigation strategy was especially soil water conservation techniques (W̄ 2.83),  followed closely by changing planting dates and periods (W̄ 2.82), planting of improved crop varieties (W̄ 2.81) diversification of farming activities (W̄ 2.80). The most constraint was lack of financial support with (W̄ 3.74). Regression test showed there was a moderate positive relationship between perception of organic farming practices and climate mitigation strategies of farmers, the result also revealed a weak negative relationship between constraints and climate mitigation strategies. Despite the financial constraints, farmers in Southwest Nigeria still had positive perception of organic farming practices which enabled them to adopt climate mitigation strategies, resulting in farmers benefiting from improved livelihoods, increased crop resilience, and reduced environmental degradation. The study recommends that there should be collaboration with local government agencies, NGOs and private sector organizations to support organic farming and to overcome financial constraints. Benefits of organic farming should be show cased and farmers should be given timely information on best organic practices, to make informed decisions.