Title:
The Impact of Climate Change on Nigerian Agricultural Enterprises: A Rural Community Farmer Stakeholders Perspective

Authors:
Onyebuchi Nkemakonam Okafor, Ayodeji Bamidele Owoeye, UK

Abstract:

The study examined the effects of climate change on Agricultural businesses in Nigeria, Anambra state (Nawfia community). Farmers who reside in the region are vulnerable to climate change, changes in climatic factors such as irregular rainfall and temperature poses a significant challenge to most rural farmers who reside in the region and heavily depends on crops and livestock farming to maximize profit. Extended changes in temperature and precipitation varies overtime and this affects agribusinesses. Crop production and livestock farming are major source of income for most farmers in Anambra state Nigeria, therefore we examined how climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, and seasonal variations can affect each farmers’ business in the region using qualitative research method through interview. To determine the impact of the change, we selected major crops and livestock common in the region, such as maize, cassava, yam, goat, chicken and pig for a case study. The result indicates that climate variability has significant impact in determining agricultural output and economic activities, these significant changes has led to food insecurity, low profit maximization, reduction in agricultural production and low food supply chain.

The paper argued that climate change affect farmers in the community in different ways, and they have different methods to tackle the problem when it arises. However, most farmers from this region have limited knowledge about climate information and how the knowledge can help them mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change. Most of the farmers still rely on traditional agricultural practices to tackle climate related problems, because of their limited knowledge about climate smart agriculture (CSA), most agribusiness farmers find it difficult to engage in climate-resilient agriculture practices such as crop rotation, organic farming, cover cropping, crop and livestock diversification and precision livestock farming (PLF) for proper adaptation to weather changing conditions.

In addition, Government and other Agricultural institutions support is essential to assist farmers during climate change. From the study, the government is not doing enough to assist agribusiness farmers by organizing programs to provide basic climate knowledge, insurance against climate risk, grants and loans at the grassroots level to assist rural farmers in their businesses. Farmers lack the financial capability to purchase agricultural equipment’s that will enable them adapt to the changing climate and make farming more efficient and profitable.

The paper therefore recommends that the government should take proactive measures to support, implement and encourage robust agricultural policies to address climate challenges faced by rural farmers in their respective businesses, in addition, it is essential for farmers to form cooperatives which will enable them to share knowledge, resources and access the market, this will help them adapt to uncertainties, increase food production, maximize profit and increase food supply chain without harming the environment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2025.9712