FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AMONG MAIZE FARMERS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the factors influencing adoption of climate smart agricultural practices among maize farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. A Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to randomly select one hundred respondents for the study. Primary data were collected from the respondents with aid of a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The results of this study showed that crop diversification was the most adopted climate smart agricultural practice by the respondents and adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural practices is still very low among the respondents. Result of probit regression revealed that marital status, access to extension services, farming experience, membership of farmers’ association and access to credit had a positive influence on adoption of climate smart agricultural practices while age, farm size and total income had a negative influence. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that government should develop suitable policies that will encourage farmers especially rural farmers to adopt and utilize Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAP). Equally, the study also recommended government should be geared towards supporting improved extension services, providing on-farm demonstration training, and disseminating information about climate smart agricultural practices and provide credit facilities through the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund and bank credit to farmers in order to enhance adoption.