Assessment of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Horticultural Farmers in Kebbi State

Climate change poses significant and escalating risks to horticultural production in North West Nigeria, with Kebbi State experiencing increasingly erratic rainfall, prolonged dry seasons, and more frequent extreme temperature events over the past decade. These changes threaten the viability of vegetable and fruit enterprises that form the backbone of rural livelihoods in the state. This study assesses the climate change adaptation strategies being employed by horticultural farmers in three agricultural zones of Kebbi State, examining the drivers of adoption, perceived effectiveness, and institutional support available. Structured questionnaires were administered to 110 smallholder horticultural farmers, supplemented by 12 key informant interviews with agricultural development and climate response officers. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of adaptation strategy adoption. Results indicate that early planting, switch to drought-tolerant varieties, and increased irrigation frequency are the most widely adopted adaptation strategies. Access to climate information services and membership in farmer organizations significantly predicted the adoption of formal climate adaptation strategies. However, awareness of advanced adaptation options such as shade netting, soil moisture conservation, and agroforestry integration was low. The study recommends targeted climate extension programs for Kebbi State horticultural farmers, integrating climate advisory services into existing ADP extension platforms. Keywords: climate change adaptation, horticultural farmers, Kebbi State, drought-tolerant varieties, extension