Farmers' awareness and Perception of Climate Change in North-West Nigeria: (Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States)

This study investigates farmers' perception and understanding of climate change in Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara states of North-West Nigeria, a region characterized by semi-arid conditions and predominantly rain-fed agriculture. Despite high awareness of climate change among the 1,050 surveyed farmers (94.3%), there is a significant gap in their understanding of its underlying causes and processes. While 89.6% of farmers perceived an increase in temperature and 82.4% noted a decrease in annual rainfall, only 36.7% correctly identified human activities as a contributing factor, and merely 29.8% could distinguish climate change from normal weather variability. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and analysis of historical meteorological data (1990-2024). Results indicate a strong alignment between farmers' perceptions and meteorological trends, particularly for temperature increases, delayed rainfall onset, and shortened rainy seasons. However, perception accuracy varies significantly across the three states, with farmers in more severely affected areas demonstrating higher accuracy. Factors such as education level, access to extension services, farming experience, and membership in farmer groups are significant predictors of accurate climate perception. The study underscores the critical role of indigenous knowledge in understanding climate change and recommends strengthening extension services, promoting farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange, and tailoring climate education to different educational levels. These measures aim to enhance climate resilience and inform more effective adaptation strategies for the region's agricultural communities.