Abstract
Adaptation is considered an appropriate response to climate
change and variability, especially for
rural farmers. However, the farmers’ ability to effectively
respond to climate change challenges
is determined by the quality of information available to the
farmers and how easily the
information is accessed. The study sought to assess the
information needs of rural farmers on
climate change. A total of I52 respondents were selected
using multistage sampling technique.
Percentages, mean scores, standard deviations, factor
analysis and multiple linear regression
model were used in data analysis and presentation. The
findings show that all the respondents
indicated awareness of climate change. However, the
knowledge score used indicated that none
of the respondents had high knowledge on climate change. The
respondents’ major and
perceived reliable sources of knowledge were personal
observations and friends. These
information sources according to the findings were useful
especially on adaptation. The major
areas of information needs of the farmers on adaptation were
use of improved varieties,
occupational diversification, use of weed tolerant varieties,
change in timing of farm operations,
use of herbicides and pesticides and incorporating residue
into the soil. However the findings
indicate that the following were the perceived major
constraints to effective communication of
climate change: poor communication linkage between
scientists, extension agents and farmers,
lack of proper enlightenment, lack of participatory approach
to communication, poor use of local
dialect in translation and communication of climate change
information jargon to rural farmers,
lack of communication facilities etc.
The respondents’ perceived strategies that can be used for
effective communication of climate change information were: use of vernacular
through mass media to disseminate climate change information, use of
participatory approach in communicating climate change information,
incorporating the needs, perception and concern of the target audience and
ensuring relevance of information to the target audience, ensuring reliability
of information, use of credible experts who have knowledge of vernacular, and
bridging the communication gap between scientists, extension agents and
farmers. Other strategies include: use of local and religious leaders to
disseminate climate change information, use of local languages (dialect) and
folks, use of audio visual aids and provision of timely information, training
of communicators of climate change information, strengthening agricultural
extension delivery system, provision of communication facilities by government
to climate change communicators, and use of service providers to disseminate
climate change information through short message service. The findings reveal
that the following had significant influence on knowledge level (p≤0.05): years
spent in formal education, membership of social/religious organization, number
of climate change training, farm size, marital status, access to credit, and
climate change training.