ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AS STRATEGIESFOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION BY FARMERS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined environmental adult education programmes as strategies for climate change adaptation by farmers in Rivers State. The research was guided by six research questions and two null hypotheses. This study adopted the descriptive research design, the population for this study consisted of 6,370 farmers who are registered with the Agricultural Development Office in Rivers State. Multistage sampling technique was used to draw 1,274 farmers, representing 20% of the total population of the study. Environmental Adult Education Programmes and Climate Change Adaptation by Farmers in Rivers State Questionnaire (EAEPCCAQ) was the main instrument used for data collection.A reliability coefficient of 0.76 was obtained using test re-test method. Data collected for this study were analyzed using mean score. Results revealed that the impacts of climate change on crop production are low productivity in crop yields, the application of organic manure, the use of ashes on the plants to prevent direct sun light on the farmlands, amongst others are the efforts made by the farmers to adapt to the negative impact of climate change on farmlands. Environmental Adult Education such as conservation education, environmental literacy, forestry education, sustainable education are the programmes farmers engaged in to enhance their crop yield. Inadequate qualified facilitators in the field of environmental adult education, unwilling attitudes of some farmers to participate in EAE programmes, unwillingness of some farmers in practicing the knowledge gained during the EAE programmes, lack of political will are challenges facing the implementation of EAE programmes for climate change adaptation. This study concluded that environmental adult education programmes have the potential to enhance farmers adaptation strategies to climate change in Rivers State. The study recommended among others that, incentives should be given by the Government to motivate farmers to attend seminars, and workshops organized to educate them on strategies to adapt to climate change.