Comparative Analysis of the Experiences, Impacts and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change Among Sahel Zone’s Agro-pastoralists of Northeast, Nigeria

Abstract

The study is a cross-sectional comparative study of the experiences, impacts and adaption strategies to climate change in Sahel Zone’s agro-pastoralists in Northeast, Nigeria. Quantitative research approach was used to collect data. The study was conducted in 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with three LGAs each purposively selected in Bauchi and Gombe States where 3,041 copies of questionnaire were administered after the stratification of the LGAs. The data were analyzed using descriptive and Chi Square statistics in SPSS version 25.0. Results as well as conclusion from the study indicate that agro-pastoralists in Bauchi and Gombe have heard about climate change (89.1%), have various experiences and were aware of different impacts of climate change. The data also revealed that agro-pastoralists have used numerous adaptation strategies to combat impact of climate change. A Pearson Chi-square test of significant relationship between some socio-demographic factors such as location, age, sex including, education and experiences, impacts and adaptation strategies produced mixed associations as the factors were not consistently related. Based on the findings, the study recommends that Governments develop climate change institutions where extension agents would highlight known impacts and available adaption strategies of climate change, in order for agro-pastoralists to know the steps to take in dealing with climate change challenges. The proposed institutions should assist in better management of the environment, develop more climate friendly crops and livestock varieties that can withstand diseases/drier conditions and investment in irrigation for the betterment of agro-pastoralists activities and communities.