Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture, Food Systems, and Resilience Strategies among Residents of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Climate change (CC) affects the functioning of all elements of food systems, including production, processing, distribution, consumption, and recycling of agricultural products, as well as the broader economic and natural environments in which they are embedded. This study assessed the impact of climate change on the food system in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey using a mixed-method approach was conducted among farmers and agricultural extension workers. The sample size, determined using Fischer’s formula, was 236. A multistage sampling technique selected farmers from the Kwara State Farmers Association using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS version 25 using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square (p < 0.05, 95% CI). Findings revealed that 97.9% of farmers were aware of climate change, mainly informed by extension workers. The most common changes observed were erratic rainfall (63.1%) and increasing temperatures (27.9%). A large proportion (92.7%) reported declining crop yields, particularly cereals, while 85.8% noted livestock challenges such as mortality and heat stress. Climate change was reported to reduce food availability (94.8%), limit market access (74.7%), and increase food prices (91.8%). Adaptive strategies, including altering planting dates, using drought-tolerant seeds, and farm diversification, were adopted by 82.8% of farmers, though 49.8% considered them only moderately effective. Financial constraints (60.1%) and limited technical knowledge were the main barriers. A significant association was found between socio-economic status and the impact of climate change (χ²=9.969, p=0.007), while awareness was strongly associated with education level (χ²=39.891, p=0.000). Overall, climate change has substantially impacted food systems in Ilorin, threatening agricultural productivity and food security. The study underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient policies, targeted interventions, and sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard food and nutrition security.