Title: Assessment Of Climate Change-Induced Challenges Among Smallholder Farmers In Yobe State, Nigeria
Authors: Ejeh Benedict, Abel Onyema Angela Ubi Mary Otamnwa, Haruna Gambo Usur
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-9
Publication Date: 2026/01/28
Abstract:
This study assessed climate change-induced challenges among groundnut smallholder farmers in Yusufari Local Government Area (LGA), Yobe state, Nigeria, with adaptation strategies examined as supportive responses. The study examined farmers' awareness and perceptions of climate change, identified key climate-related challenges affecting groundnut production, and assessed the adaptation strategies employed to cope with these challenges. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 150 male and female groundnut farmers selected through multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics; including frequencies, percentages, and the relative importance index (RII). Findings revealed that 80% of respondents were aware of climate change, indicating widespread recognition of climatic variability. The most significant climate-induced challenges were low yield (RII = 0.63), pest and disease infestation (RII = 0.53), drought (RII = 0.47), delayed planting (RII = 0.43), and soil erosion (RII = 0.30). Adaptation strategies adopted by farmers were mainly low-cost and knowledge-based, with early maturing seed varieties (RII = 0.74), changes in planting dates (RII = 0.72), and improved seed varieties (RII = 0.71) being the most prominent. The study concludes that climate change poses serious threats to groundnut productivity and smallholder livelihoods in Yusufari LGA, while adaptive responses remain constrained by limited access to resources, extension services, and infrastructure. The study recommends strengthening access to improved seed varieties, expanding climate-smart extension services, promoting soil and water conservation practices, and implementing gender-sensitive and youth-inclusive interventions to enhance resilience, food security, and sustainable agricultural development in semi-arid regions of Nigeria.