Abstract

Rice production is limited by many biotic and abiotic factors which are aggravated when climate change induces variation in climate patterns. Predicting effects of these variations in climate parameters on rice is not straight forward because crops in growth stage are affected in a specific manner which involves tactical adjustments of cropping calendar in order to ensure optimum production. Primary data were collected from randomly sampled 112 rice farmers in the study area using structured interview schedule on their socio-economic and farm enterprise characteristics, awareness of climate change and perception of effects of climate change on rice development stages in Niger State. More than half (67.0%) and  (58.0%) of the respondents had favourable disposition towards climate change effects on rice vegetative and maturity stages, respectively while 75% had unfavourable disposition on the reproductive stage. There was inverse relationship (r-value = -0.16, p-value = 0.09) between perceived effects of climate change and farmers productivity. Farmers perception of effects of climate change on rice is hinged on irregular rainfall pattern that encourages weed growth, and excess water encourages fungal diseases spread which lowers rice yield. Rice farmers therefore, are advised to plant varieties that can withstand changes in the climate.

Key words: Rice farmers, rice development stages, climate change effects.