Analysis Of Some Socio-Demographic Variables And Climate Change Mitigation Strategies Among Female Refugee Farmers In Some Selected Camps In Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
The study assessed how socio-demographic factors influenced climate change mitigation strategies adopted by female refugee farmers in their camps in Nigeria, identifying most commonly used mitigation practices, explored the challenges faced in accessing climate change resources, and proposed policy recommendations to strengthen their resilience to climate-related risks. Following 6 objectives formulated, the study was guided by research questions and hypotheses. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs were adopted and a total of 1,322 female refugee farmers were drawn from camps in Taraba, Adamawa, and Cross River States. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and Regression analysis were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that female refugee farmers actively engage in climate mitigation and adaptation practices, relying largely on informal communication networks such as social groups, religious institutions among others for climate information. However, their capacity to implement sustainable climate-smart agricultural practices is significantly shaped by socio-demographic factors such as education, income, access to information, and social networks. Major challenges included financial constraints, limited land access, inadequate agricultural inputs, and institutional barriers which continue to hinder their resilience. The study therefore emphasizes the need for coordinated policy interventions aimed at improving economic security, agricultural training, land access, financial inclusion, and institutional support to enhance climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods among these female refugee farming communities.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Adeagbo, A.O., Ojo, T.O. & Adetoro, A.A. (2021). Understanding the determinants of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder maize farmers in South-west, Nigeria. Heliyon 7: e06231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06231,
Asare-Nuamah, P., Botchway, E., 2023. Understanding climate information services uptake: the role of brokers and social networks among smallholder farmers in Africa. Clim. Dev. 15 (4), 351–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2022.2046428.
Asfaw, A., Simane, B., Bantider, A. & Hassen, A. (2019). Determinants in the Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: Evidence from Rainfed-Dependent Smallholder climate change in Southeast Asia: the case study from Thailand and Vietnam. In: Climate-smart Agriculture. Springer, Cham, pp. 137–160.
Asrat, P. & Simane, B., (2018). Farmers’ perception of climate change and adaptation strategies in the Dabus watershed, North-West Ethiopia. Ecol. Proc. 7 (1), 7-18.
Ayanlade, A., Eniola, O.O., Yusuf, T.T., 2023. Climate vulnerability and security challenges in northeastern Nigeria: a spatial analysis. J. Environ. Manage. 330, 117193. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117193
Ayanlade, A., Radeny, M., 2022. Climate change adaptation and social networks: evidence from smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Environ. Dev. Sustain. 24, 10089–10106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01802-z.
Ayanlade, A., Radeny, M., 2023. Social network failures and maladaptation among rural households in climate-vulnerable Africa. Clim. Risk Manag. 40, 100494. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.crm.2023.100494.
Ayanwale, A.B., Adekunle, A.A., Kehinde, A.D., Fatunbi, O.A., 2024. Networking and Training for Improvement of Farm Income: a Case of Lifelong Learning (L3F) Approach in West Africa. Heliyon 10, e23263.
Bakare, A.Y., Ogunleye, A.S., Kehinde, A.D., 2023. Impacts of Microcredit Access on climate Change Adaptation Strategies Adoption and Rice Yield in Kwara State. Nigeria. World Development Sustainability 2, 100047.
Buylla, E.R. (2020). Maize yield in Mexico under climate change. Agric. Syst. 17, Chandni, S., Joseph, D., Amir, B., Ziervogel, G., Spear, D., Krishnaswamy, J., Modathir, Z. &
Kituyi, E. (2018). The utility of weather and climate information for adaptation decision making: Current uses and future prospects in Africa and India, Climate and Development,10 (5),389-405; DOI:10.1080/17565529.2017.1318744
Channa, H., Chen, A.Z., Pina, P., Ricker-Gilbert, J. & Stein, D., (2019). What drives smallholder farmers’ willingness to pay for a new farm technology? Evidence from an experimental auction in Kenya. Food Pol. 85, 64–71.
Chenu, C., Angers, D.A., Barr, E. P., Derrien, D., Arrouays, D. & Balesdent, J., (2019). Increasing Organic Stocks in Agricultural Soils: Knowledge Gaps and Potential China. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Control Ser. 26 (12), 12522–12536.
Dang, H., Elton, L., Nuberg, I. & Bruwer, J. (2019). Factors Influencing the Adaptation of Farmers in Response to Climate Change: a Review, Climate and Development, 11(9), 765-774; Das, M., Das, A., Momin, S. & Pandey, R. (2020). Mapping the Effect of Climate Change onCommunity Livelihood Vulnerability in the Riparian Region of Gangatic Plain, India.Ecol. Indicat. 119: 106815.
Elia, E.F. (2017). Farmers’ awareness and understanding of climate change and variability in
central semi-arid Tanzania, University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 12 (2), 124- 138
Elum, Z. A., Modise, M. M. & Marr, A. (2017). Farmer’s perception of climate change and responsive strategies in three selected provinces of South Africa. Climate Risk Management, 16, 246 – 257.
Eneji, C.V.O, Alawa, D.A., Udumo, B.O., Essien, C.K., Unimna, F.A., Essien, E.E.,Ambe, B,A, & Ajigo, I.(2022a). Livelihood activities, climate change and water resources availability in the lower Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Crops, 8(3), 216-227, DOI:https://doi.org/10.32861/jac.83.216.227.
Eneji, C.V.O., Onnoghen, N. U. & Akpo, David Mbu (2017). Teaching Environmental Education to Adult Learners Using the Phi Delta Kappan Model in the Rural Communities of Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Continuing Education and Development Studies (IJCEDS) 3(1), 80-88
Eneji, C.V.O., Onnoghen, N.U., Odama, J.A., & Diwa, J.B. (2021). Climate Change Awareness, Environmental Education and Gender Role Burdens among Rural Farmers of Northern Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 13(4/5), 397-415. DOI 10.1108/IJCCSM-06-2020-0070
Eneji, C.V.O., Udumo, B. O., Ayua, B. A., Essien, E. E., Alawa, D. A., Unimna, F. A., Essien, C. K., & Ajigo, I. (2022b). The tripod relationship between local embalmment, environment and human health implications in Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Crops, 8(4), 240-250, DOI: https://doi.org/10.32861/jac.84.240.250;
Fadina, A.M.R. & Barjolle, D. (2018). Farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change and FAO. (2018). The State of Food and Agriculture: Migration, Agriculture, and Rural Development. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Gebre, G. G., & Rahut, D. B. (2021). The role of income in climate adaptation among smallholder farmers. Climate Policy, 21(4), 567-582.
Gladstone, M., and Mora, V. (2022). Introduction to Consumer Behaviour. Key Influences on Consumer Decision-making. Demographic Influence, Chapter 34. Available on 27 October 2022 https://opentextbc.ca/introconsumerbehaviour/chapter/demographic-influences/.
Huyer, S., Simelton, E., Chanana, N., Mulema, A., & Marty, E. (2021). Expanding opportunities: A framework for gender and socially-inclusive climate resilient agriculture. Frontiers in Climate, 3, 718240.
Igene, C. A., Onymekonwu, R. C. and Belonwu, N. E. (2023). Assessment of climate change adaptation strategies used by rural farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, Vol. 19(1), pp: 85-94. Innovations. Soil Tillage Res. 188: 41–52.
Jost, C., et al. (2016). Gender and climate change mitigation in agriculture: An analysis of policy and practice. Climate and Development, 8(1), 1-13, 2016.
Karanja, D. M., & Wambugu, M. (2021). Education and climate-smart agriculture adoption among refugee farmers in Kenya; Agricultural Systems, 187, 102990
Kebede, A.S., Tadesse, T., Nigussie, A., 2023. Climate change adaptation and the role of social capital: evidence from smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Clim. Pol. 23 (1), 89–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2022.2103978.
Kehinde, A., Ige, A., Onyeka, E. & Tijani, A. (2025).Understanding the role of social networks in climate adaptation and mitigation among Nigerian smallholder farmers: A scoping review. Climate Services 40 (2025) 100620; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2025.100620
Kehinde, A.D., Adesiyan, T.F., Hassan, S.O., Familusi, I.G., 2025. Leveraging on Membership in Agricultural Cooperatives to Alleviate Abject Poverty among Smallholder Farming Households in Nigeria. Sustainable Futures 9, 100399.
Kehinde, A.D., Adeyemo, R., 2020. Effect of Social Capital Dimensions on output and Gross Margin of Cassava Farmers in Osun State. Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology 20 (1), 37–43.
Kehinde, A.D., Adeyemo, R., Ogundeji, A.A., 2021. Does Social Capital improve Farm Productivity and Food Security? evidence from Cocoa-based farming Households in Southwestern Nigeria. Heliyon 7 (3), e06592.
Kehinde, A.D., Alabi, D.L., 2025. Determinants of Participation in Community-based Organizations and its Impact on Poverty Eradication among Rural Households in Osun State. Glob. Soc. Welf. 1–17.
Kehinde, A.D., Kehinde, M.A., 2020. The Impact of Credit Access and Cooperative Membership on Food Security of Rural Households in South-Western Nigeria. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development 57 (3), 255–268.
Kehinde, A.D., Ogundeji, A.A., 2022. Social Capital Networks (SCNs) reducing the poverty in Cocoa Producing Households: evidence from Osun and Ondo States of Southwestern Nigeria. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 25, #082.
Kehinde, A.D., Ojo, T.O., Ogundeji, A.A., 2024. Impact of participation in social capital networks on the technical efficiency of maize producers in Southwest Nigeria. Agriculture and Food Security 13 (1), 1–19.
Lal, R., et al. (2020). Climate change and food security among displaced agricultural communities. Environmental Research, 185, 109481
Laosan, S. (2022). 7 Important Steps in the Decision-making Process. Leadership Resources, Asana. https://asana.com/resources/decision-making-process Accessed 15 July 2023.
lateritic soil partially replaced with metakaolin. J. Environ. Earth Sci. 5 (4), 53–6
Liu, B., Zhao, Q., Jin, Y., Shen, J. and Li, C. (2021). Application of Combined Model of Stepwise Regression Analysis and Artificial Neural Network in Data Calibration of Miniature Air Quality Detector. Scientific Report, Nature, Vol. 11, 3247.
Muema, E., Mburu, J., Coulibaly, J. & Mutune, J. (2018). Determinants of access and utilization of seasonal climate information services among smallholder farmers in Makueni County, Kenya. Heliyon, 4(11), e00889; Doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00889
Muench, S., Bavorova, M. & Pradhan, P. (2021). Climate change adaptation by smallholder tea farmers: A case study of Nepal. Environ. Sci. Pol. 116, 136–146.
Müller, A., et al. (2019). Soil carbon sequestration and climate mitigation strategies in refugee farming systems. Soil & Tillage Research, 191, 134-145.
Mutabazi, K. D., et al. (2015). Water conservation practices among smallholder farmers in drought-prone regions. Journal of Water Resource Management, 29(6), 2051-2068
Mwalukasa, N. (2013). Agricultural information sources used for climate change adaptation in Tanzania. Library Review, 62 (4), 66-292; https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-12-2011-0096
Nhemachena, C., Mano, R., Mudombi, S. & Muwanigwa, V., (2014). Climate change adaptation for rural communities dependent on agriculture and tourism in marginal farming areas of the Hwange District, Zimbabwe. Afr. J. Agric. Res. 9 (26), 2045–2054
Niosi, A. (2021). The Graphic of the Consumer Decision-making Process: Factors Influencing Consumer Decision-making. Introduction to Business. Licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA and Adapted from Buyer Behaviour. Rice University.
Nyong, A., et al. (2007). The role of indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 12(5), 787-797.
Ojo, T.O. & Baiyegunhi, L.J.S., (2020a). Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies and its impact on the net farm income of rice farmers in South-west Nigeria. Land Use Pol. 103946.
Ojo, T.O., Baiyegunhi, L.J.S., (2020b). Determinants of credit constraints and its impact on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies among rice farmers in South-West Nigeria. J. Econ. Str. 9: 1–15.
Omerkhil, N., Kumar, P., Mallick, M., Meru, L.B., Chand, T., Rawat, P.S. & Pandey, R. (2020).
Micro-level adaptation strategies by smallholders to adapt climate change in the least developed countries (LDCs): Insights from Afghanistan. Ecol. Indicat. 118, 106781.
Onnoghen, U. N., Eneji, C.V.O., Petters, J.S. & Peters, C.B., (2020). School Environment and Environmental Education Lecturer’s Job Performance in the University of Calabar, Nigeria. GIS Business, 15(2), 159-186
Pandey, R., Kumar, P., Archie, K. M., Gupta, A. K., Joshi, P., Valente, D., & Petrosillo, I. (2018). Climate change adaptation in the Western-Himalayas: Household level perspectives on impacts and barriers. Ecological Indicators, 84, 27–37. Pol. 103946.
Partey, S. T., et al. (2020). Gender and climate risk management: Evidence from farmers in Ghana. Climatic Change, 158, 61–75.
Poudel, S.,Funakawa, S. & Shinjo, H. (2017). Household perceptions about the impacts of climate change on food security in the mountainous region of Nepal. Sustainability, 9: 641.
San Domenico, W., & Homan, M. (2022). Evidence of gender inequality in agriculture related to climate change in developing African nations. Journal of Student Research, 11(3), 213-244
Shakoor, A., Xu, Y., Wang, Q., Chen, N., He, F., Zuo, H., Yin, H., Yan, X., Ma, H., et al., (2018). Effects of fertilizer application schemes and soil environmental factors on nitrous oxide emission fluxes in a rice-wheat cropping system, East China." PLoS ONE,13: e0202016. Available: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202016
Towolawi, A. T., Oguntoke, O., Bada, B. S. and Adejuwon O. J. (2024). Water management and crop-resistant varieties adaptation due to climate change by farmers. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 155,: 3405–3422.
Towolawi, A. T., Oguntoke, O., Bada, B. S. and Adejuwon, J. O. (2022). Acceptance of crop management strategy across four rain-fed agricultural states in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Crop Science, 8(1), 50-63.
Towolawi, A. T., Oguntoke, O., Bada, B. S., Adejuwon, J. O. and Ibrahim, S.B. (2024). Socio-demographic Influences on Farmers' Climate Change Adaptation Choices in Nigeria. FUTY Journal of the Environment, 18 (1), 40-48
Towolawi, A. T., Oguntoke, O., Bada, B. S., Adejuwon, J. O., and Ibrahim, S. B. (2023). Adaptation strategies of rain-fed farmers to climate change in Nigeria. Journal of Bangladesh Agricultural University, 21(1), 109–123.
Umar, S.Y., Elinwa, A.U. & Matawal, D.S. (2015). Hydraulic conductivity of compacted lateritic soil partially replaced with metakaolin. J. Environ. Earth Sci. 5 (4), 53–6
UNHCR. (2021). Climate Change, Displacement, and Agricultural Adaptation: Policy Frameworks for Refugee Farmers. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Ureta, C., Gonz_alez, E.J., Espinosa, A., Trueba, A., Pi~neyro-Nelson, A., & Alvarez-Buylla, E.R. (2020). Maize yield in Mexico under climate change. Agric. Syst. 17, 102697.
Waibel, H., Pahlisch, T.H. & Volker, M. (2018). Farmers’ perceptions of and adaptations to climate change in Southeast Asia: the case study from Thailand and Vietnam. In: Climate-smart Agriculture. Springer, Cham, pp. 137–160.
Williams, J. J., Kwada, F. & Tumba, K. (2021). Farmers socio-demographic factors and their adaptive response to climate change in Mubi region of Adamawa State, Nigeria The Environmental Studies Journal (TESJ), 3(3), 52-81, www,researchersjournal.org
Zadawa, A.N. & Omran, A. (2020). Rural development in Africa: challenges and opportunities. In: Sustaining Our Environment for Better Future. Springer, Singapore, pp. 33–42.
Zeng, Y., Zhang, J., He, K. & Cheng, L.,(2019). Who cares what parents think or do? Observational learning and experience-based learning through communication in rice farmers’ willingness to adopt sustainable agricultural technologies in Hubei Province, China. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Control Ser. 26 (12), 12522–12536.