Adapting to Droughts Among Poor Rural Households in Semi-arid Nigeria: Influencing Factors and Enhancing Opportunities Dabi, D., Nyong, A., Adepetu, A., and Ihemegbulem, V. Second AIACC Regional Workshop for Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Dakar, Senegal, March 2004

Outline Introduction Problem and Objectives Methodology Results Concluding Remarks

Introduction Climate is changing with far reaching impacts Drought is a major problem affecting the socioeconomic activities and livelihood of the people Not everyone is equally vulnerable and some have already adapted to the phenomenon. So: How have they adapted? what factors influence their capacity to adapt?, and what enhancement opportunities exist to increase their adaptive capacity?

Study Area

Methodology Data. Field Observations. Questionnaire administration using Stratified random sampling technique. Focus Group Discussions. Analysis. Qualitative analysis using a bottom-up approach to identify what the households have done to survive earlier droughts. Quantitative analysis to determine significant factors that influence their adaptive capacities.

Results Adaptation options: Use of shallow wells Small-scale irrigation initiatives Planting of drought-resistant crop varieties Nomadism (transhumance) Crop and animal diversification Income diversification Fishing Relocation and migration Prayer

Influencing Factors Resources (The 5 capitals) Natural capital  Depletion of groundwater resources  Land desiccation and degradation  Desertification Human capital  Quality and quantity of labour  Quality of health  Quality of education

Influencing Factors 2 Economic capital Financial Poverty Collateral Physical capital Water supply Road network Electricity Socio-cultural capital Community and family networks Religion Conflict Information Government Policy

Enhancing Opportunities for Adaptation Provision of alternative or additional water sources Sinking of boreholes or tube wells Change farming practices Limit irrigation practice in water scarce areas Change timing of operations (planting, irrigating etc) Change crop types (drought-resistant varieties)

Enhancing Opportunities 2 Change grazing methods Develop new technologies and modernization Biotechnology (new crop varieties, hybrids etc) Mechanical (irrigation & tillage techniques etc) Water management techniques (conjunctive use) Reduce herd size Diversification of crops and animals

Enhancing Opportunities 3 Improvement on government policies Education (to improve literacy levels) Research (climatic, agricultural, land use etc) Extension services on information dissemination Institutional change (credit facilities, pricing & market policies) Capacity building Religious considerations

Concluding Remarks These outcomes will serve as input into the Quantitative Data Analysis which will enable us prioritize adaptation options.

Ma feng Na gode Merci Thank you