ADOPTION AND IMPACT OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AMONG SMALLHOLDERS FARMERS IN THE NIGER DELTA: THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES

Abstract

The study examined the role of agricultural extension services and looked at how smallholder farmers in the Niger Delta adopted and used Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices. Structured questionnaire was used to gather primary data from 360 smallholder farmers in the states of Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings showed that 40.8% of farmers had a secondary education, 67.5% were men, and the majority were in the productive age range of 30 to 59 years. More than 70% of them implemented CSA techniques, such as crop rotation, the use of organic manure and integrated pest management. Education, farm size, credit and extension services all had a significant impact on CSA adoption, according to regression analysis (R² = 0.742, p < 0.01). The results of the correlation showed that the adoption of CSA and the provision of extension services were strongly positively correlated (r = 0.642–0.713). According to PSM results, CSA adopters' income (ATT = ₦58,770, p < 0.001) and resilience (ATT = 7.44, p < 0.001) were significantly higher than those of non-adopters. Poor infrastructure and insufficient funding were major obstacles. Stronger extension capacity, policy support in the Niger Delta is suggested by the study's conclusion that efficient agricultural extension services increase CSA adoption and maintain livelihoods.