The Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetable Production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract The impacts of climate change on vegetable production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, were investigated. With the use of questionnaire, 286 vegetable producers were chosen using multi-stage sampling. Primary sources were used for data collection. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, probit, beta and multiple regression methods. The study reveals that the vegetable growers were female (62.6%), married (75.9%), and in their prime age (47%). With greater mean outputs and a higher percentage of vegetable producers, fluted pumpkin (6943.63 kg), green pepper (6011.20 kg), garden egg (5976.52 kg), and okra (5874.53 kg) dominated vegetable cultivation. The outputs of vegetables were favorably influenced by age ( P < 0.05), farm size ( P < 0.01), and education ( P < 0.01). Some of the adaptation measures utilized by vegetable producers were planting improved vegetable seeds (99.7%), modifying planting and harvesting dates (98.6%), and effective staking methods (100%). Age ( P < 0.01), education ( P < 0.01), household size ( P < 0.01), farming experience ( P < 0.05), and extension contacts ( P < 0.01) served as important predictors of climate change adaptation. Vegetable production was negatively impacted by temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity, while sunshine fared well with vegetable yield. The study concludes that climate change poses negative impacts on vegetable production and advised vegetable producers to practice climate smart agriculture to mitigate climate change impacts on vegetable crops.