Analysis of farmers’ perceptions on sustainable sweet orange farming in nigeria amid climate change

Access to information on climate change is a crucial factor in enabling farmers to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate its impacts. The survey results in Fig. 4 revealed that 80.5% of the sweet orange farmers had access to climate change-related information, while 16.8% did not. A small percentage, about 3%, did not disclose their status regarding access to such information. The relatively high level of access to climate change information among the sweet orange farmers is a positive sign. It suggests that efforts to disseminate information on climate change are making headway, reaching a significant portion of the farming community. This is particularly important in a country like Nigeria, where the agricultural sector is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry seasons, and extreme weather events. However, the fact that nearly 17% of the sweet orange farmers still lack access to climate change information indicates that there is room for improvement. Ensuring that all farmers have access to reliable and relevant information is critical for building their resilience to climate change²⁴. This could involve enhancing the reach of agricultural extension services, increasing the availability of information through local media channels, and leveraging community networks to spread awareness.

The study’s findings also highlight the need for targeted information dissemination strategies that consider the specific needs and challenges of different groups within the farming community. For instance, women, who are often less likely to have access to formal education and agricultural extension services, may require tailored approaches to ensure they receive the information they need. Similarly, small-scale and subsistence farmers, who may not have access to modern communication technologies, could benefit from more traditional forms of information dissemination, such as community meetings and radio broadcasts.

Sources of CC-Related Information for Sweet Orange Farmers

The sources of climate change-related information for farmers are critical in shaping their understanding and response to climate change. The survey results as presented in Fig. 5 showed that most sweet orange farmers (95%) obtained their information on climate change primarily through radio, television, and public awareness campaigns. A smaller proportion, about 3%, relied on reading materials and conversations with friends, while 2% based their understanding on personal experiences with weather conditions and changes in rainfall patterns. The dominance of radio and television as the primary sources of information reflects their widespread reach and influence in rural areas. These media channels are particularly effective in disseminating information quickly and to a broad audience, making them valuable tools for raising awareness about climate change. Public awareness campaigns, often conducted by government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and international bodies, also play a crucial role in educating farmers about the causes and effects of climate change and the strategies they can adopt to mitigate its impacts. This finding corroborated the reports of^{24, 25}.

However, the reliance on media and public campaigns also highlights potential gaps in direct, personalised information dissemination. While radio and television can provide general information, they may not always address the specific concerns or questions of individual farmers. This underscores the importance of complementing these sources with more interactive forms of communication, such as agricultural extension services and community-based training sessions, where farmers can receive tailored advice and engage in discussions with experts. Additionally, the fact that some sweet orange farmers rely on personal experiences to inform their understanding of climate change suggests that experiential knowledge remains an important resource for farmers. While this knowledge is valuable, it may also lead to misconceptions or incomplete understandings of climate change if not supplemented with scientific information. Therefore, integrating local knowledge with formal education and scientific insights could enhance farmers’ overall understanding of climate change and improve their capacity to respond effectively²⁵.

Sweet orange farmers’ understanding of Climate Change

Understanding climate change is crucial for farmers to develop effective adaptation strategies. The survey results as presented in Fig. 6 revealed that a significant majority of sweet orange farmers (83%) associated climate change with irregular rainfall patterns, while 9% linked it to prolonged dry seasons. Additionally, 5% of the sweet orange farmers identified incessant flooding as a sign of climate change, and 3% pointed to extremely high temperatures as a key indicator. These findings indicate that the sweet orange farmers have a comprehensive understanding of the various manifestations of climate change, particularly in relation to weather patterns that directly affect agricultural activities. The focus on rainfall variability is not surprising, given that rainfall is a critical factor in agricultural productivity, particularly in regions where irrigation infrastructure is limited. The sweet orange farmers’ awareness of the broader impacts of climate change, such as flooding and extreme temperatures, is also noteworthy. These impacts are likely to become more pronounced as climate change progresses, and farmers’ ability to recognise and respond to these challenges will be crucial for sustaining agricultural production and livelihoods.

However, the variation in how sweet orange farmers interpret the effects of climate change suggests that there is still a need for more education and awareness-raising efforts^24,25,26. Different farmers may experience the impacts of climate change in different ways, depending on their location, the crops they grow, and their access to resources. Ensuring that all farmers have a well-rounded understanding of climate change and its potential impacts can help them make more informed decisions about how to adapt their practices.

Farmers’ adaptation strategies to Climate Change

In response to the challenges posed by climate change, farmers have adopted a range of adaptation strategies as revealed in Fig. 7. The survey found that 61% of sweet orange farmers used pesticides to manage the increased pest and disease pressures associated with changing climatic conditions. This approach reflects a direct response to the observable effects of climate change on crop health and productivity. In addition to pesticide use, 21% of sweet orange farmers employed soil water conservation techniques, such as mulching and cover crop planting^{6, 26}. These methods are crucial for maintaining soil moisture and protecting crops during periods of drought or irregular rainfall. Soil water conservation practices have been widely recognised as effective strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change, particularly in regions where water availability is becoming increasingly uncertain. Another 16% of sweet orange farmers diversified their farming activities by growing alternative crops, such as yam, cassava, maize, and sweet potato. Crop diversification is a well-established adaptation strategy that reduces farmers’ reliance on a single crop and spreads the risk associated with climate variability. By growing a variety of crops, farmers can better cope with changes in weather patterns and ensure a more stable food supply. Furthermore, the adoption of hybrid seeds with shorter maturation periods represents another important adaptation strategy as noted by²⁷. These seeds are designed to be more resilient to adverse weather conditions and can mature more quickly, allowing farmers to harvest their crops before the onset of extreme weather events. This strategy is particularly valuable in regions where the growing season is becoming shorter or more unpredictable due to climate change²⁷.

The findings of this study highlight the proactive steps that farmers are taking to adapt to climate change. However, they also underscore the need for continued support and education to help farmers implement these strategies effectively. Providing farmers with access to the latest agricultural research, training in new techniques, and resources such as high-quality seeds.

Gender distribution of the sweet orange farmers.

Sweet orange farmers’ level of education.

Access to Information on Climate Change.

Sources of information on climate change.

Sweet orange farmers’ interpretation of what Climate Change stands for.

Adaptation method to cope with Climate Change scenario.

Sweet orange Farmers’ perception on the impact of CC on Sweet orange Production.

The perspectives of sweet orange farmers on how climate change (CC) affects their crop production were examined through factor analysis (FA). The results, presented in Table 2, identified six key variables that significantly shape farmers’ perceptions of CC’s influence on sweet orange farming. These variables provide insight into the factors that sweet orange farmers’ believe are most impacted by climate change, reflecting their concerns and observations regarding shifts in weather patterns and their effects on crop yields.

The primary variable among the factors identified in Table 2 is the change in sweet orange production volume. This variable has an Eigenvalue of 1.908, the highest among the 14 variables in the Rotated Component Matrix (RCM), with a score of 82.3. It accounts for 13.122% of the variation in farmers’ perceptions of climate change’s impact on sweet orange production. These results align with studies by researchers such as²⁸ and ²⁹, who observed that declining fruit production in Algeria was significantly linked to climate variability, particularly irregular and unreliable rainfall patterns. Similarly, research by^{30, 31} identified that climate change has led to increased pest infestations on sweet orange crops, contributing to substantial decreases in production over recent decades.

In Table 2, high temperatures emerge as the second most significant variable, scoring the highest at 88.3 among the second-order variables in the RCM. With an Eigenvalue of 1.894, this factor explains 12.624% of the total variance among the extracted variables (66.967%). Sweet orange farmers’ perceptions emphasize the critical role of temperature, which is consistent with findings by^{32, 33}, who linked high temperatures to negative impacts on the flowering, fruiting, and maturation processes of sweet oranges. Further supporting this³⁴ and ³⁵, found that extreme heat, especially when coupled with delayed rainfall, detrimentally affects sweet orange yields.

Another key factor influencing farmers’ perceptions of climate change’s impact on sweet orange farming is the prolonged dry periods experienced in their regions. This variable, ranked third in the RCM, has the highest value of 80.8 and an Eigenvalue of 1.681, accounting for 11.205% of the total variance. This reflects farmers’ concerns about the harmful effects of extended dry periods on sweet orange production, aligning with observations by³⁶ and ³⁷, who linked late rainfall to decreased flower sustainability, impaired fruit development, and consequently, lower yields and reduced incomes.

Rainfall patterns, ranking highest in the fourth order of the RCM with a value of 88.5 among the variables, is another significant factor. Its Eigenvalue of 1.595 accounts for 10.632% of the total variance. Research indicates that climate change has disrupted rainfall patterns in tropical regions^38,39,40, negatively affecting sweet orange production over time. Studies by^{21, 41, 48} have shown that erratic rainfall patterns are linked to decreased sweet orange yields, while⁴² highlighted the adverse impact of excessive rainfall on crop production in their study area.

Flood occurrences also emerged as a critical variable explaining farmers’ perceptions of climate change’s impact on sweet orange farming. This factor is notable in the fifth order of the RCM, with a value of 82.4. Despite being the fifth variable extracted by the factor analysis, its Eigenvalue of 1.493 contributes 9.951% to the total explanation. This finding is consistent with research by⁴² and ⁴³, who documented the devastating effects of floods on sweet orange production and stressed the need for authorities to provide support to farmers affected by such events.

The final significant variable identified is the perceived impact of climate change on sweet orange seedlings. This factor, ranked sixth in the RCM, has a value of 64.4 and an Eigenvalue of 1.415, explaining 9.433% of the total variance. This result highlights the challenges faced by sweet orange seedlings due to climatic changes, consistent with observations by ^{28, 45, 46}, who noted poor seedling performance because of changing climate conditions. The researchers recommended training and capacity-building initiatives to help sweet orange farmers mitigate these challenges.

Overall, the analysis of the extracted variables suggests that their respective weights are closely aligned, with slight differences such as the 0.553 range in weights, indicating that all variables should be considered significant when addressing mitigation strategies. Among the six extracted variables, four are directly linked to climate change scenarios: (i) Temperature index, (ii) Extended dry periods, (iii) Rainfall patterns, and (iv) Incidence of flooding. These variables collectively carry a weight of 6.753, explaining a total of 44.412% of the overall explanation, which constitutes 66.319% of the absolute value. The remaining two variables—(i) Changes in sweet orange production volume and (ii) Impact on sweet orange seedling performance—contribute 22.555% to the overall explanation (i.e., 33.681% of the absolute value). These variables are crucial as they directly highlight the effects of climate change on sweet orange farming.

While the factor analysis identified six significant variables in explaining sweet orange farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts, it is essential to recognize the value of the eight other variables, even though they were deemed less significant. This highlights the importance of considering all variables in this investigation without dismissing any entirely. Each variable, whether directly linked to climate change scenarios or not, contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between climate change and sweet orange farming. Effective mitigation and adaptation strategies should therefore incorporate all these variables to address the multifaceted challenges faced by farmers in this context.

Checkmating Climate Change Impact on Sweet Orange Farming: Farmers’ perspectives

A further study was conducted to investigate measures for mitigating the impacts of climate change on sweet orange farming from the perspective of farmers. The findings revealed three major strategies, collectively accounting for 71.21% of the total variance. The most important factor, contributing 36.33% of the variance with an eigenvalue of 2.110, was the timely and regular updating of farmers’ knowledge regarding climate change^48–51. This highlights the crucial role that continuous education and access to updated information play in helping farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions.

The second factor, representing 23.38% of the variance and an eigenvalue of 1.569, was government support. This includes access to credit facilities, public lectures and seminars, outreach programs targeting sweet orange farmers in their communities, and the provision of relevant agrochemicals. Such support is essential for empowering farmers to implement necessary climate-adaptive measures and sustain their productivity. This is in support of the findings of^{52, 53}.

Lastly, the third key factor, contributing 11.50% of the variance with an eigenvalue of 1.002, was the provision of more heat-resistant seeds and seedlings. This reflects the need for sweet orange farmers to access resilient crop varieties that can withstand higher temperatures and other climate-related stresses ^{55, 59}. These three strategies underscore the multifaceted approach required to mitigate the impacts of climate change on sweet orange farming and safeguard the livelihoods of farmers.

Conclusion and recommendation

This study has provided valuable insights into sweet orange farmers’ understanding of climate change impacts on their agricultural practices in Nigeria. The findings indicate that climate change poses significant challenges to sweet orange farming, particularly through reduced production volumes, high temperatures, prolonged dry seasons, shifting rainfall patterns, flooding, and poor seedling performance. Despite these challenges, farmers have adopted various adaptation strategies, including timely access to climate-related information, government support through financial and extension services, and the use of heat-resistant seedlings. The results highlight the need for a comprehensive climate-resilient agricultural framework to sustain sweet orange production in the face of climate variability.

To mitigate these effects, government agencies should integrate climate-smart techniques into extension services. Smallholder farmers need financial aid, including subsidies and credit access. Increased funding should support climate-resilient seedling development. Strengthening collaboration between meteorological agencies and extension officers will improve weather forecasting for farmers. Policymakers should design targeted adaptation strategies, and further research should assess long-term adaptation effectiveness. Implementing these recommendations will enhance resilience and promote sustainable sweet orange farming in Nigeria.