DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2016.v03i01.006

Pages: 37-41

Insufficient rainfall has been a major challenge to agricultural production in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria. The situation is being aggravated by climate change, a trending research development area. Farmers employ irrigation to supplement the water deficit in production. This research assessed the awareness of such farmers with regards to climate change and its manifestation, as well as the sources via which they obtained information on climate change. The study was carried out in Ajiwa and Dutsinma agricultural zones of Katsina State. A sample of 200 respondents was randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaire. The study found that there is high level of awareness of climate change among the respondents with only 1.5% claiming unawareness. The most important sources of information are: other farmers, identified by 96%; radio (88.5%); cooperative societies (71%); rural markets (63.5%); and extension agents (59.5%). Longer dry season has been identified by 83% of the respondents as manifestation of climate change in the study area. Other important indicators include: erratic rainfall pattern (79.5%); severe harmattan (72%); droughts (64.5%); and increased pest incidences (52%). These findings could serve as veritable information and basis in formulating effective people-centred climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes and policies.