CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AMONG CASSAVA FARMERS IN IFEDORE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF ONDO STATE

ABSTRACT Cassava-based farmers are faced with a lot of risks and uncertainties and this results to low agricultural output and hinders the rural farmers from pursuing their farming activities as an enterprise. The study assessed the climate risk management strategies among cassava-based farmers in Ifedore local government Ondo state. A multistage sampling technique was used in the selection of respondents. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaire administered to 100 respondents. Multinomial logit regression model was used to determine the factors influencing the choice of risk management strategies among rural cassava-based farmers in the study area. Results of the study showed that the majority of the cassava farmers were male (73.6%), with most aged between 25 and 45 years. Education levels were relatively high, with 62.7% of respondents having completed secondary education. Most of the farmers (88.2%) managed small farms of 1-10 hectares, indicating limited access to large land resources. All respondents reported noticing changes in climate patterns over the past five years, including increased temperatures, irregular rainfall, prolonged dry seasons, and an increase in pests and diseases. The result of the study also confirmed that age, gender, educational level and farm income were the major determinants of the farmers’ choice of risk management strategies. It was recommended that Farmers should be provided with easier access to credit and other financial services to help them invest in climate-smart practices, such as irrigation and agroforestry. Government and financial institutions should develop flexible loan products tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers.