ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY PERCEPTION AMONG FARMERS IN KEFFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Agricultural production is sometimes affected by the effects of variations in the climate which subsequently affect crop production. In this study, climate variability perception among farmers and its effects on cassava crop in Keffi Local Government Area is examined. Data of rainfall and temperature over a period of sixteen years in Keffi LG A were obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, National Programme on Food Security and Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture. This data was analysed using the correlation and regression analysis of the SPSS statistics package version 17 and trend function of the Microsoft Excel package. The result showed an increase in minimum temperature coupled with unreliable rainfall distribution over the investigated period. It identified poor yield with non-significant positive effect of rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature on cassava yield. The study recommends access to weather information for farmers which could serve as an adaptive strategy for positive crop yield production. The need to deploy Agricultural Extension Officers (AEO) to serve as guide to farmers through sensitization programmes and routine visit is imperative.