Evaluation of Agricultural Extension Agents Level of Perception of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise as Environmental Problems in Abia State, Nigeria

Transcription

1 Discourse Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences ISSN: Vol. 2(6): , June, 2014 Evaluation of Agricultural Extension Agents Level of Perception of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise as Environmental Problems in Abia State, Nigeria 1 Obasi, L. O., 2 Ijioma, J. C., 3 Ogwo, P. A., and 4 Okoroigwe, D. S. 1 Department of Environmental Resources Management Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria 2 Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Abia State, University, Uturu, Nigeria 3 Department of Geography and Planning, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria for Correspondence: pfaikon78@yahoo.com Abstract The broad objective of this study is the evaluation of agricultural extension agents level of perception of climate change and sea level rise as environmental problems in Abia State. The research was guided by the following specific objectives: to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the extension agents, determine level of understanding of extension agents on climate change and sea level rise as environmental problems, determine effects of variability of climate change and sea level rise in the study area. Purposive sampling technique was used to elicit information on 96 extension agents. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation and Pearson s product moment correlation coefficient. Result showed that males (60.42%) predominated extension work. Very high (96.87%) were in their prime age of years, while majority (83.34%) had work experience between 6 and 20 years. Result indicated that there was high understanding on climate change and sea level rise problems with both having pooled mean (M = 3.39). Their understanding of climate change problems also shows higher cluster (uniformity) than that on sea level rise. This is portrayed by the lower standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Result showed a positive moderate correlation of 0.60 using Pearson s tools on the understanding of the three zones (Aba, Ohafia and Umuahia) on climate change and sea level rise problems. There is therefore the need for proactive action through workshops and seminars to improve the awareness and readiness of these agents to tackle current and future environment problems that may negate their efforts. Keywords: Evaluation, Agricultural Extension Agents, Climate Change, Sea level Rise, Environmental Problem INTRODUCTION According to the IPCC WGII Fourth Assessment Report (2007), Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents to climate variability and change. The report predicts that by 2020 between 75 and 250 million people are likely to experience increased water stress that would largely be attributed to climate variability and change. Further, agricultural production and overall access to food in many African countries could be severely compromised by climate variability and change, largely because crop land area, cropping seasons and crop productivity are expected to decrease, especially land that is already marginal in semi-arid and arid areas (Kowero et al., 2001). However, what is happening today with respect to climate change and variability is that the intensity with which it is taking place and the risks and potential grave consequence this could have on mankind and the environment, especially

2 191 of concern to Africa where dependence on natural biophysical resources is high, agriculture the mainstay of most people, poverty is rampant and infrastructure to support socio-economic development is weak (Kowero et al, 2001). It is attracting growing global concerns as a result of its perceived threat to the earth s environment and food security. The study area, noticeable evidence of climate change include, the drying up of most lakes and natural ponds which has resulted in environmental refuges, biodiversity loss, disappearance of some species of flora and fauna, restriction of most small rivers and streams to function only in mid-rain season. Others are reduction of cold harmattan to barely 2 months, (December to January) as opposed to usually November to March and low crop yield. How the extension workers have perceived the enumerated climate change problems ravaging their environment and their area of operation becomes the subject matter for this investigation. Extension per se was conceived originally as a service to extend research-based knowledge to the rural sector to improve the lives of farmers. It thus included components of technology transfer, broader rural development goals, management skills and non-formal education, Birner et al, (2006). According to Asiabaka (2002), agricultural extension is a voluntary out of school education process for teaching the rural clientele to embrace change for the betterment of their environment. Change can only occur when the social action programme (SAP) is carried out by the change agent otherwise known as the extension worker or extension agent (EA). This person has face-to-face and or direct contact with the farmers. He/she maintains the necessary link between the external world of ideas, values and resources and the internal situation which is the subject of change (Asiabaka, 2002). Ajayi and Allagenyi (2001) noted that extension agents are central in the effort of any extension organization towards reaching the target audience and cause a change which results in development. He or she disseminates vital technological information to the rural and urban clientele and brings feedback to research via extension, Unamma (1996). Consequently, the field agent who teaches informs and advises the rural clientele on agricultural development and rural betterment simultaneously encounters the vagaries of weather caused by climate change, with the rural dwellers (Adejuwon, 2002). The question remains how does the field agent or extension worker perceive climate change as an environmental problem in Abia State? That forms the basis for the investigation. Objectives of Study The specific objectives are to: i. describe the socio-economic characteristics of the extension agents in the study area. ii. determine the level of understanding of extension agents on climate change and sea level rise as environmental problems in Abia State iii. determine effects of variability of climate change and sea level rise in the study area. iv. compare the climate change and sea level rise understanding of the extension agents as environmental problems in the 3 zones (Aba, Ohafia and Umuahia) of Abia State. Hypothesis H 0 : There is no mean difference between the levels of understanding of the Agricultural Extension workers in the three zones of Abia State on climate change and rise in sea level. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was carried out in Abia State. The state was created out of Imo State on 27 th August, The state is located in the South East agro-ecological zone. Abia State lies between longitudes 7º 00 and 8º 00 East and latitudes 4º 45 and 6º 17 North, in the south eastern part of Nigeria. The state is bounded on the west by Imo State, on the north by Enugu and Ebonyi States, on the southeast by Akwa-Ibom State on the north east by Cross River State, and on the south by Rivers State. Abia State is characterized by two distinct seasons; the dry season which lasts from November to March and the wet season which lasts from April to October (NPC, 2006). The annual rainfall ranges from 1600 mm 1700 mm (Ahukama, 1990). The daily temperature varies between 22.4ºC and 31.90ºC. The state lies within the tropical rainforest zone and its southern part is a mixture associated with luxuriant growth of trees while the northern part is a mixture of rich savannah and tropical rainforest. The state is mainly an agricultural economy. A greater percentage of the people are farmers while others are skilled workers engaged in trades of different types. The state has three agricultural zones as follows: Abia Central (Umuahia), Abia North (Ohafia) and Abia South (Aba). The extension delivery system of Abia Agricultural Development programme (Abia ADP) is focused on small scale farmers who dwell mostly in the rural areas, specifically to increase their productivity, income and standard of living. It has field extension personnel; 3 zonal extension officers (ZEO), 24 Block Extension Supervisors (BESs), 14 Block

3 192 Table 1. The Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Extension Agents (EAs) Variables Frequency Percentage Gender Male Female Marital Status Single Married Diivorced Widowed Age (Yrs) < > Level of Education First School Leaving Certificate - - GCE/WASSC OND/NCE HND/BSC Post Graduate (PG) Years of Extension Experience > Extension Agents (BEAs) and 192 Extension Agents (EAs), totaling 233 and they all spread across the zones, ADP Newsletter (2009). The three zones of Abia ADP has 153, 000 farm families. These zones are divided into twenty-four (24) blocks. In each block, there are eight (8) cells or circles, making total of 192 circles or cells, Abia State ADP report, (2005). Each block is headed by Block Extension Supervisor (BES). However, an extension agent (EA) is in charge of a circle. In Abia State ADP, only 96 EAs were working instead of 192, showing that not all cells have EAs. The breakdown shows that Ohafia zone has 41 EAs, Aba zone has 29 EAs, while Umuahia zone has 27EAs. All the 96 EAs in the three zones were purposively selected for the study. Thus, 96 respondents formed the sample size for this study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected during field work from the Extension Agents with the aid of structured questionnaire, while secondary data were obtained from the Journal of Agricultural Extension, Abia State ADP. A four-point Likert-type questionnaire of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD), was administered to the ninety-six Agricultural Extension workers from Abia State thus: Abia North, thirty-five respondents, Abia South; thirty-one respondents and Abia Central; thirty respondents. The responses were collated. The descriptive

4 193 Table 2. Distribution of Extension Agents Understanding of Climate Change as Environmental Problem S/N Item specification Σx X Decision Pooled Mean 1. Gas release from automobile, industries, mining companies cause alteration in the balance of gasses and 3.39 induce global warming Agreed 2. Rainfall pattern and intensity are changes induced by climate change Agreed 3. Global warming has caused increase in evaportranspiration rate Agreed 4. Global warming causes flooding Agreed 5. There has been higher air temperature in recent years than what it used to be Agreed 6. Global warming causes ill-health Agreed 7. Ozone layer depletion causes global warming Agreed 8. Human activities are the main causes of climate change Agreed 9. Global warming causes hunger Agreed 10. Global warming can cause 3.33 desertification 320 Agreed Table 3. Distribution of Extension Agents Understanding of Rise in Sea Level as Environmental Problem S/N Item specification Σx X Decision Pooled Mean 1. Rise in sea level can cause flooding Agreed 2. Flooding can cause hunger and disease Agreed Erratic rainfall intensity can cause flooding Agreed 4. Global warming causes rise in sea level Agreed 5. Rise in sea levels can render people homeless and cause loss of lives Agreed statistics were used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the extension agents. The Likert scale was used in the following order: Strongly Agree is weighted (4), Agree (3); Disagree two (2); and Strongly Disagree, one (1); making a total of ten (10), and a mean of 2.5 is realized. This was used in analyzing objective ii. So, mean values on the items in the questionnaire below 2.5 imply low understanding, while those above 2.5 mean, high level of understanding. The inference on variability of climate change and sea level rise in objective iii was ascertained. The variability was ascertained using the Standard Deviation (S) and coefficient of variation (CV). The Pearson s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the relationship in the responses on climate change and that on sea level rise in the agricultural zones. The student s t-statistic was used to test if there is any significant difference in the levels of understanding of these environmental problems by Agricultural Extension workers from the three zones. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 1 shows that 60.42% of the extension agents are males, while 39.58% are females. The implication of this result is that it had consolidated previous results that extension agents are male-dominated (Unamma, 2001). Majority

5 194 Table 4. Extension Agents Awareness of Climate Change as Environmental Problem Using Standard Deviation S/N Item specification X X X = d (X X) 2 = d 2 1. Gas release from automobile, industries, and mining companies cause alteration in the balance of gases and induce global warming Rainfall pattern and intensity are changes induced by climate change 3. Global warming has caused increase in evaportranspiration rate Global warming causes flooding There has been higher air temperature in recent years than what it used to be Global warming causes ill-health Ozone layer depletion causes global warming Human activities are the main causes of climate change Global warming causes hunger Global warming can cause desertification X = 3.39 Σd 2 = 0.77 S = Σ x x = 0.77 = 0.30 n S Coefficient of variation = 0.30 (100) (100) = 8.85% X 3.39 Table 5. Extension Agents Awareness of rise in Sea Level as Environmental Problems Using Standard Deviation S/N Item specification X X X = d (X X) 2 = d 2 1. Rise in sea level can cause flooding Flooding can cause hunger and disease Erratic rainfall intensity can cause flooding Global warming causes rise in sea level Rise in sea levels can render people homeless and cause loss of lives Source: Filed Survey Data, 2012 S = Σ (x x) 2 = 0.30 n 1 S = = Coefficient of variation: S = 0.27 X = 3.39 Σd 2 = 1.13

6 195 Table 6. Analysis of the Level of Understanding of the Agricultural Extension Workers from the Three Zones of Abia State on Climate Change and Rise in Sea Level as Environmental Problem Using Pearson s product Moment Correlation and t-test Statistics Item specification N Pearson (r) df t cal t table Level of significance Abia North Abia South 31 Abia Central (69.79%) of the agents were married, 21.88% were single. This is in agreement with Adegeye, et al., 1985) who stated that the married class were involved in extension social action programme. The result indicates that the respondents in the study area were mostly middle aged people within the age bracket of years. The findings of the study thus agrees with the view of Ukeju (2011) that the youths and middle ages dominate extension work, and the implication here is that extension is dominated by those still in their most productive years. Result shows that fairly good number (42.71%) respondents had OND/NCE certificates, while 23.96% had HND/B.SC qualifications. Table I shows that there was no school dropout. The implication here is that a positive correlation exist between literacy level and extension workers activities (Uwakah, 1983). Table 2 shows the EAs understanding of climate change as an environmental problem. The specified items in the table had mean score above They include gas release from automobiles, industries; mining companies cause alteration in balance of gases and induce global warming (M = 3.60), rainfall pattern and intensity are changes caused by climate change (M = 3.57), global warming has caused increase in evapotranspiration rate (M = 3.55), global warming causes flooding (M = 2.73), there has been higher air temperature in recent years than what it used to be (M = 3.41), Global warming causes ill-health (M = 3.72), ozone layer depletion causes global warming (M = 3.10), human activities are the main causes of climate change (M = 3.32), global warming causes hunger (M = 3.56) global warming can cause desertification (M = 3.33). The Agricultural Extension workers agreed on all the above items and the pooled mean of 3.39 shows that their understanding of climate change is very high. Table 3 indicates rise in sea level as environmental problem perceived by Abia State Agricultural Development Programme Extension Agents (Abia State ADP EAs). All the five items has mean score above (M = 2.50). They include: rise in sea level can cause flooding (M = 3.67), flooding can cause hunger and diseases (M = 3.44). Erratic rainfall intensity can cause flooding (M = 3.43), global warming causes rise in sea level (M = 2.88). Rise in sea levels can render people homeless and cause loss of lives and property (M = 3.54). The table shows that the agricultural extension workers agreed on all the items. The pooled mean of 3.39, also is an indication that the respondents understanding of rise in sea level as an environmental problem is very high. Table 4 and 5 denote measure of variability in climate change and rise in sea level as environmental problems. The Abia State Agricultural Extension Workers level of awareness on both tables is high and is at per with the mean of But there is understanding of climate change problems in Table 4 which shows higher cluster (uniformity) than that on sea level rise. This is evidenced by the slightly lower standard deviation and coefficient of variation in Table 5. Table 6 suggests a positive moderate correlation of 0.60 using Pearson s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient on the understanding of the three zones (Abia North Ohafia, Abia South Aba, Abia central Umuahia), on climate change and sea level rise as environmental problems. Since the calculated t-test is greater than the t-table, the null hypothesis is rejected; hence, we conclude that there is a significant difference between the understanding of the Agricultural Extension workers from the three zones on climate change and rise in sea level as environmental problems. RECOMMENDATION 1. The awareness of the Extension workers about climate change and sea level rise as environmental problems is at per with mean score (M = 3.39), but their understanding of climate change problems in Table 4 is slightly higher than that of sea level rise. There is the need to harmonize their understanding of these two problems, because they are interconnected (Fagan, 2008). This could be done through workshops and seminars. 2. There is the need to reinforce Research-Extension-Rural Clientele, to involve mostly the farmers themselves through extension workers on conservation of natural resources and environmental management which will go a long way to deter degradation of the environment and improve on it since human survival depends on how successfully people can adjust to environmental conditions (Jordan and Domosh, 1999).

7 Government should make logistics available at all times to enable the extension agents to visit the study area to create awareness on environmental problems precipitated by climate change as a global problem, also inculcate sustainable adaptive strategies to the rural clientele, mostly the farmers. 4. Re-train existing male and female staff, if they have a background only on home economic nutrition and agricultural-related areas. They should be provided training in crop, forestry, horticulture, environmental management field extension methodology to make up for any shortfalls in staff, this will prepare them adequately for teaching to conserve the environment by employing mitigation and adaptation techniques. REFERENCES Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Newsletter Vol. vi, pp Abia State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Official Annual Report Adejuwon SA., (2002). Global Warming and Climate Change. The Global Effort Towards Reversing the Trend. Paper Presented at a Climate Change Workshop, University of Ibadan, February, Ajayi AR. and Allangenyi LD (2001). Organization Factors in Sustainable Extension Delivery in Nigeria. The Effect of Job-Related Stress on Organizational Involvement, Commitment and Quality of Family Life of Extension Agents of the Benue State Agricultural Development Programme. Paper Presented at the 7 th Annual National Conference of AESON, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, University, bauchi, Nigeria. Asiabaka CC., (2002). Agricultural Extension. A handbook for Development Practitioner. Rivers Molystem United Services, Publishers. Birner R., Davies and Nkonya E., (2006). From the Best Practices to Best Fit. A Framework for Analyzing Agricultural Development Strategy and Governance Division. Discussion Paper No. 55. IFRRI. Washington, D. C. Fagan B., (2008). The Great Warning: Climate Change and Rise and Fall of Civilizations. New York, USA, Bloomsbury. IPCC WGH Fourth Assessment Report (2007). Climate Change Impacts. Adaptation and Vulnerability. Summary for Policy Makers Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), p.23. Jordan-Bychkor, T. G. and Domosh, M. (199). The Human Mosaic: A thematic Introduction to Cultural Geography. New York, USA, Longman. Kowero GS., Spilsbury MJ., and Chipeta ML., (2001). Research for Sustainable Forestry Development Challenges for Sub-Saharan Africa. A Background paper for FAO, Forestry Sector Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA). National Population Commission Official gazette, NPC (2006). Ukeju (2011). Agricultural Extension in Nigeria Agricultural Development Project Experiment Unpublished, FACU Report, Ibadan, Nigeria. Unamma RPA (1996). Guideline to the Sustainability of the MTRM in Nigeria Southern ADPs. Proceedings of 10 th Annual Farming System Research and Extension Workshop in South East Nigeria, NRCRI, Umudike. Unamma RPA., (2001). Agricultural Technology and Transfer Strategies for Food security. Proceedings of the Annual Zonal Research Extension Farmer Input Linkage Systems (REFILS) Workshop South East, South-South Zones of Nigeria. pp Uwakah CT., (1983). Agricultural Extension, the Social and Economic Development. Proceedings of the Training Workshop on Rural Extension, NRCRI, Umudike, April