Effects of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies on Technical Efficiency of Poultry Production in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the effects of climate change adaptation strategies on technical efficiency of poultry production in Benue State, Nigeria. The population of the study consist of all poultry farmers in Benue State. A sample size of 198 was selected using multistage sampling technique. Data for the study were collected from primary source using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies distribution, percentages and mean as well as inferential statistics such as Stochastic frontier production function. Farmers’ perceived intensity of climate change as very high temperature, excessive rainfall, drought, irregular relative humidity, excessive sunshine and long period of harmattan with almost all variables exceeding the cut-off mean of 2.0. Majority of the respondents used adaptation strategies to cope with climate change. The result of the stochastic frontier analysis showing the climate change adaptation strategies influencing inefficiency of poultry output showed that, raising of broods and sell, tree planting around poultry house, more water served were found to reduce farmers’ economic inefficiency of poultry output at 10% level of significance. The study hence, revealed that climate change adaptation strategies had significant relationship with economic inefficiency of poultry production in the study area. Therefore, the study recommended the need to improve on farmers’ access to information on climate change and appropriate adaptation strategies as well as providing credit facilities to help improve farmers’ capacity to adapt to climate change.