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Paper short abstract:

This study identified the effects of climate change and analyzed the indigenous adaptation options of the women farmers. Respondents perceived climate change as evidenced in short rainy season andvariation in period of occurrence of August break and adapt by altering their planting dates yearly.

Paper long abstract:

Rainfall variability is increasingly a source of concern amongst other climatic variables particularly in the rain-fed agricultural regions of the world. Likewise the increasing trend of climate change which has become worrisome as regards its impact on agriculture. Following the Kyoto accord which encourages member countries to engage in adaptation; there is need to investigate women crop farmers' understanding of climate variability and change and their adaptation strategies at the farm level. Thus, this study identified the effects of climate change and analyzed the indigenous adaptation options of the women crop farmers. The primary data used in this study were collected from five villages through multi stage random sampling technique. A total of 120 respondents were interviewed. Descriptive statistics was used in analyzing the data. Results showed that respondents in all the communities perceived that climate change is evidenced in short rainy season, and variation in period of occurrence of August break. The farmers alter their planting dates yearly. They adopted at least one of the following adaptation strategies: multiple cropping, traditional irrigation, crop replanting, mulching, planting of cover crops, and application of local manure. The study recommends the implementation of certain policies to ensure that farmers employ indigenous knowledge maximally.