ASSESSING CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS ON PLASTIC PRODUCT USE BY AGRO-MARKETERS AND HORTICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN CALABAR AGRICULTURAL ZONE

This study assessed the impact of climate change on the use of plastic products among agro-marketers and horticultural enterprises in the Calabar Agricultural Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 200 respondents using a structured questionnaire, with a multistage sampling technique employed for selection. Findings indicate that climate change has influenced the socio-economic characteristics of respondents by increasing labor requirements (mean = 2.7), enhancing membership in professional and cooperative organizations (mean = 2.53), and improving awareness of plastic and climate change issues (mean = 2.47). At the enterprise level, climate change affected operations through increased payment of carbon emission taxes (mean = 2.94), higher costs of packaged goods due to restrictive plastic policies (mean = 2.92), and elevated release of harmful chemicals from plastic waste under higher temperatures (mean = 2.75). The study recommends enhancing climate change awareness among agro-marketers and horticulturists to mitigate adverse impacts on plastic-packaged products. Additionally, government agencies should monitor plastic production to minimize or eliminate hazardous chemicals that are susceptible to climate-induced degradation, thereby preserving product quality.