Assessment of input-output relationship of crop enterprises in the different climate change adaptation options among farmers in Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the input-output relationship of crop enterprises in response to different climate change adaptation options among farmers in Borno State, Nigeria. The research was conducted in two agroecological zones (AEZ) within the state, employing a multi-stage sampling procedure to select 360 farmers for the study. Data analysis involved the use of means, frequencies, and multiple regression techniques. The results regarding adaptation practices in the respective AEZs revealed that in the Sudan AEZ, farmers primarily employed strategies such as multiple cropping (98.9%), early planting (63.9%), mulching/use of cover crops (36.1%), and increased fertilizer application (25.00%). In the Guinea AEZ, the most widely used adaptation strategies included multiple cropping (93.30%), utilization of new crop varieties tolerant to the evolving climate (72.20%), increased fertilizer application (47.20%), and the use of herbicides (25.00%). The production function analysis results demonstrated that approximately 85, 51, 53, 57, 81 and 65% of the variations in yields resulting from climate change adaptation strategies, such as the application of herbicides, utilization of organic manure, early planting, increased fertilizer application, mulching, and the use of cover crops, as well as the use of improved crop varieties tolerant to the new climate regime, were accounted for by the inputs. Furthermore, the coefficients of production inputs were significant and positively correlated with crop yields across different adaptation strategies and at various levels. In conclusion, the study found that farmers primarily employed technically-based adaptation strategies, and production inputs played a crucial role in determining crop yields across various adaptation approaches. It is recommended, among other measures, that adaptation materials be provided to farmers at a subsidized rate. Key words: Input-output, crop enterprises, climate change, adaptation strategies, Borno State.