Can Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Enhance Poverty Status?

A Comparative Study of Male and Female Small Ruminant Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores whether climate change adaptation strategies (CCAS) can enhance poverty status among male and female small ruminant farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to collect data from 80 (40 males and 40 females) small ruminant livestock farmers using questionnaire and interviews. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, climate change adaptation strategies adopted and livestock production constraints in the face of the changing climate. Results showed that female farmers had a higher mean age (46.45 years) and household size (6.75) compared to males (43.43 years; 5.40, HH). Both groups had an average of seven years of livestock farming experience. Farmers adopted various CCAS, including matching livestock stocking rate with pasture production, altering pasture rotation, modification of grazing time, and integration within livestock/crop systems to mitigate climate change. The MPCHE was N9, 233 for male and N6,101 for females, with 70% of female farmers classified as poor compared to 47.5% of males. The study showed that CCAS reduced poverty vulnerability (3.05 and 3.22), influence human security (2.85 and 3.02), and increased poverty variability (2.87 and 3.15) for both groups. Major constraints include high cost of labour, inadequate capital, price fluctuation of input materials, unavailability of veterinary services, and poor access to credit. Also, significant negative relationship was found between CCAS and poverty status. The study recommends the implementation of gender-sensitive agricultural support programs to enhance farm income and encourage wider adoption of climate adaptation strategies.