ABSTRACT

This study assessed climate-related damage to crops, estimated losses as perceived by small farmers and enumerated the strategies they adopted in coping with climate impact on crops produced in Abia State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered on 72 small-scale arable crop farmers selected by cluster sampling from three agricultural zones of the state. Information gathered was descriptively and inferentially analysed. Estimates from probit regression revealed rain-fed practice, flood, erosion and occasional drought as factors that significantly and positively influenced decisions and expenses incurred in controlling soil erosion and drought, while expenses in control of weed and pests were factors that negatively influenced decision of small-scale crop farmers in their choice of climate-related adaptation measures in Abia State, Nigeria. In addition to uphold of cultural adaptation measures, small crop farmers should take insurance policies with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) and pay some token premium so as to be indemnified in the event of losses.