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Farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate risks and their determinants: insights from a farming community of Aguie district in Niger

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Abstract

Globally climate risks are rising, and agriculture remains one of the most affected sectors. Niger is one of the most affected countries, where, there is little knowledge of farmers’ perceptions of climate risks and adaptation strategies. This research aimed to address these knowledge gaps. In total 160 farm households were randomly selected from two villages and respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a regression model were used for data analysis. Based on the survey results, the perceived risks include temperature increases, short rain season, recurrent droughts, stronger winds, increased pests, and diseases and reduced crop yields. Agronomic practices including crop association and diversification, changing planting dates, use of improved seed varieties, use of mineral fertilizers were implemented as adaptation strategies. Strategy adoption was significantly influenced by farming experience, education, farm and household size, soil fertility, livestock ratio. 80% of farmers adjusted their farming system, and the level of adaptation was significantly determined by soil fertility, climate change information, food production, and number of strategies adopted. This study highlights that policymakers should incorporate communities’ knowledge of environmental change and locally adapted solutions to streamline their transition to sustainability.

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Source: DIVA-GIS, Ado ©2018

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Source: Computed from data from the National Meteorological Station

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Acknowledgements

This study is part of a Ph.D. dissertation at College of Humanities and Development studies (COHD) of China Agricultural University, Beijing, China. The study was partially supported by World Agroforestry (ICRAF) program in Niger. We thank all the people who were involved in the field data collection, proofreading, and editing this paper. This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Authors’ contributions

AMA and PS conceived of the study, formulated its design, coordinated the conduct of the study including data collection, performed the statistical analysis and interpreted the data, and drafted the manuscript; KP participated in the design of the study, assisted in interpreting the data, and helped to draft the manuscript; GTM participated in the design of the study, assisted in interpreting the data, and helped to draft the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. World Agroforestry (ICRAF), West and Central Africa Regional Office - Sahel Node, BP E5118, Bamako, Mali

    Abdou Matsalabi Ado & Patrice Savadogo

  2. Departement of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh

    A. K. M. Kanak Pervez

  3. College of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University, 17 Qing hua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China

    George Tond Mudimu

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  1. Abdou Matsalabi Ado
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Ado, A.M., Savadogo, P., Pervez, A.K.M.K. et al. Farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate risks and their determinants: insights from a farming community of Aguie district in Niger. GeoJournal 85, 1075–1095 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-019-10011-7

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