ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION PRACTICES AMONG ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN EDO CENTRAL ZONE, EDO STATE,NIGERIA

ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION PRACTICES AMONG ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN EDO CENTRAL ZONE, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Agriculture is a major sector of the Nigerian economy, providing employment for about 70% of the population. The agricultural sector is the mainstay of the economy though her development funds at present derive more from Petroleum oil and Gas exploration (Ifeanyi-obi et al., 2012). It is the principal source of food and livelihood especially in rural areas. Agriculture in Nigeria as in most other developing countries is dominated by small scale farmers (Oladeebo, 2014). Small holder farmers constitute 80% of the farming population in the country (Awoke and Okorji, 2014). These farmers produce on subsistence level with the objectives of satisfying household food needs and little surplus for sale (Awoke et al., 2014).