Urban Food Production and Climate Variability in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The reality of climate variability is evident across all sectors of the economy including the agricultural sector. Urban farmers in Ibadan, an indigenous city in Africa, carry various perceptions as regards climate variability which trigger their behaviour towards the stress on urban agriculture from climate variability. This study examined urban farmers in Ibadan perception of climate variability and its effect on urban food production making use of cross-sectional survey method. The study was anchored on the concept of climate variability and perception. The study revealed that indigenous knowledge techniques and personal observation (44.3%), radio and television (20.9%), extension workers (20.1%) were the main medium through which the farmers know of climate variability. The study concluded that the farmers are well informed of variation in climate and the perceived changes will influence their decision-making on their farming activities and type of responses to climatic issues. Improved food production process was also encouraged among urban farmers.