Climate Change Knowledge and Perception among Farming Households in Nigeria

Abstract Nigeria is committed to achieving a 20% unconditional and 45% conditional reduction of GHGs emissions by 2030 through a strong focus on awareness and preparedness for climate change impacts via the mobilization of local communities for climate change mitigation actions. As land use and forestry contribute 38% and agriculture contributes 13% of the country’s GHGs, farmers are among the stakeholders to be aware and prepare for climate change mitigations and adaptations. This study assessed the knowledge of agriculturally related practices associated with climate change and its relation to their climate change perception. 1,080 smallholder farmers were interviewed across six agroecological zones of Nigeria using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results of regression models revealed that most farmers know that deforestation and land clearance by bush burning contributes to climate change. However, many farmers did not know that methane emissions from livestock (enteric fermentation) can cause climate change. Our results further show that the farmers’ perception of climate change is associated with climate change knowledge. Factors affecting the climate change knowledge of farmers include information received from government extension services and environmental NGOs, radio, as well as experiencing extreme weather events. Farmers of dry AEZs were more aware and knowledgeable of the agricultural practices contributing to the changing environment. Increased exposure to climate change events thus appears to elevate the knowledge on the topic. Using extension and environmental NGOs and radio to disseminate climate change information will help further in guiding and shaping farmers’ perceptions towards scientific findings for appropriate actions.