EFFECTS OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC VARIABLES ON ADOPTION OF ECOLOGICAL MITIGATIONSTRATEGIES AMONG ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN ABAK AGRICULTURAL ZONE,AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study is to analyze the effects of social and economic variables on adoption of ecological mitigation strategies among arable crop farmers in Abak agricultural zone, Akwa Ibom State. Specific objectives were to examine: the socio-economic and arable crop farmers; the effect of adaptation measures in controlling flood, and determine the constraints of adaptation measures among respondents in the study area. A Multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select seventy (70) respondents. Primary data was collected through administration of well-structured questionnaires and data collected was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics, and likert scale. The results revealed that majority (57.1%) of the respondents were female of which 30% are married with a mean age of 42years. The findings also showed majority (100%) of the farmers were highly educated with mean years of 7 years of farming experience. The result further showed out of ten (10) variables of adaptation measures in controlling flood in the study area, eight (8) were shown to be often used. Result also showed that, out of the five (5) variables adjudged to be the major constraint to adoption strategies in the study area, all was shown serious major constraints. Female farmers dominate arable crop farming in flood-prone areas, highlighting the significant role of women in agriculture. Gender-specific challenges need to be addressed to improve adaptation strategies. The study therefore, recommended that improve access to credit and financial services to enable farmers to invest in necessary adaptation measures should be made available at all level by the government.