Awareness and perception of climate change by smallholder farmers in two agroecological zones of Oyo state Southwest Nigeria

This study evaluated the awareness and perception of climate change among smallholder farmers across two agroecological zones (AEZs) of Oyo state Southwest Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 400 respondents from eight local government areas. Climate data were analysed for differences within and between the two AEZs with the Mann–Kendall and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, respectively. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and responses are presented as frequencies and percentages. A Tobit regression model was used to unravel the determinants of awareness and perception of climate change among the farmers. Significant differences were observed in the climate variables within and across the AEZs. The farmers were aware of, and perceived changes in temperature, rainfall, increasing incidence of pests and the occurrence of diseases, drought, and a prolonged dry season as indicators of climate change. The Tobit regression analysis pointed to agroecological zones, land tenure systems and religion as significant determinants of climate change awareness and perception among the farmers. The results of this study posit that an increase in the level of understanding of climate change indicators among smallholder farmers will birth a deeper interpretation of the effects of climate change on agriculture. This will assist smallholder farmers in preparing effective and scaled-up indigenous responses to combat the effects of climate change on their farming systems.