Climate Change Education and the Enhancement of Sustainable Agriculture among Rural Farmers in Rivers State

This study examined climate change education and the enhancement of sustainable agriculture among rural farmers in Rivers State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted the analytic descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 3,498 farmers and agricultural extension officers in rural areas who are registered with the Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (RSADP) and have attended climate Change awareness programmes organized by RSADP. The sample size of this study was 348 respondents consisting of 330 Farmers and 18 Agricultural Experts in Rivers State. The study used a self- designed questionnaire and a Key Informant interview guide for data collection. The instruments were validated by the researcher’s supervisor, one expert in Community Development and one in Measurement and Evaluation from Rivers State University. A test of internal consistency was carried out using the Chronbach Alpha method to determine the reliability of the instrument. Reliability coefficients of 0.79, 0.96 and 0.97 were obtained for the three sections of the instrument respectively. The key informant data were analysed using thematic content analysis, which involved initial coding, categorization, and theme development. From the analysed qualitative and quantitative data, the findings of the study among others revealed that to a high extent, climate change education enhances water conservation methods for sustainable agriculture in Rivers State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among other things that the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources should implement demonstration projects for rainwater harvesting systems in strategic farming communities and provide technical training for local adoption.