INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES USED BY FARMERS FOR COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE HAZARD IN CROP PRODUCTION IN UMUAHIA AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF ABIA STATE

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine indigenous technologies used by farmers for combating climate change hazard in crop production in Umuahia Agricultural Zone of Abia State. The study was guided by three research questions and three null hypotheses. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study was 451 comprising 403 farmers and 48 extension agents.  The sample of the study was 152 comprising 120 farmers and 32 extension agents selected using simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire validated by three experts. Data collected was analysed using mean and standard deviation, and t-test statistic to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the findings indicated that: causes of climate change include: Indiscriminate bush burning, deforestation, fossil fuel burning, gas flaring and illegal bunkering. It was revealed that the hazards posed by climate change in crop production were: an Increase in temperature, reduce crop yields drastically, and poor agricultural production, among others. In addition, it was revealed that the indigenous technologies used by farmers in crop production were: Mulching of crop, early planting of crops, use of compost, and green manure. From the findings, it was recommended that: Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with Abia State Government, should ensure adequate awareness campaign on the causes of climate change and climate change hazard to enable the farmers and other individual t refrain from practices like deforestation and illegal bunkering that contributed to climate change.