February 12, 2025 | Scientific Reports |
A study assessing sweet orange farmers’ awareness and understanding of climate change impacts on sweet orange cultivation across six major producing states in Nigeria was conducted by researchers from Bowen University, Nigeria. A total of 480 farmers were surveyed, with 418 valid responses analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
The study found that 78% of respondents were male, 61% used pesticides for pest control, and 34.92% managed farms ranging from 1 to 3 acres. The data were validated using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett’s tests (p < 0.05), confirming suitability for factor analysis. Six primary factors influencing farmers' perceptions of climate change were identified: reduced production volume, high temperatures, extended dry seasons, altered rainfall patterns, flooding, and poor seedling performance.
To address these challenges, the study highlighted three main adaptation strategies: regular dissemination of climate-related information (36.33%), increased government support including credit access and extension services (23.38%), and promotion of heat-tolerant seeds (11.50%). The authors recommend establishing a climate-resilient agricultural framework that integrates climate-smart practices into extension programs.
The study also calls for targeted policy interventions, enhanced collaboration between meteorological and agricultural services, and further research on the long-term impact of these strategies on sustaining sweet orange production under changing climatic conditions.
