Socio-Economic Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture Techniques in Cocoyam Production among Small-Scale Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart agriculture techniques in cocoyam production among small-scale farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Forty-eight cocoyam farmers were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tools. Findings showed that the majority were females (64.6%), and maintained an average household size of 7 persons and a mean age and farming experience of 41 and 10 years, respectively. Analysis on the level of awareness of climate-smart agricultural techniques showed that all the CSA techniques used by the farmers in the study area are below the mean level of 3.0. Findings on the socio-economic factors affecting the adoption of integrated pest management, manure management, and improved crop variety and diversification showed that the level of education was significant and positive (2.14, 2.49, and 3.97, respectively). This shows a direct relationship between the level of education and adoption of the selected CSA Practices. On the other hand, age was significant and negative (-3.74) in integrated pest management showing an indirect relationship with the adoption of integrated pest management practices. The major challenges faced by cocoyam farmers in adapting to climate smart agricultural techniques was limited knowledge of CSA practices having the highest percentage (18.1%) followed by increased cost of improved variety (16.6%) and recommends efficient involvement of extension agents and governments in the dissemination of climate smart agricultural techniques (information) to farmers at the grass root level particularly cocoyam farmers in Imo State, Nigeria.