AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACCESS AND ADOPTION OF CLIMATE-RESILIENT PRACTICES AMONG SMALL-SCALE FISHERS IN OGUN WATERSIDE LGA, OGUN STATE

Abstract

Small-scale fishers along Nigeria's coast are increasingly struggling with the climate change impacts. This study
examined the factors that influence small-scale fishers in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun
State, to adopt climate-resilient practices. Data were collected from 180 fishers across nine communities in the
study area using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics revealed that majority of fishers are middle-aged,
with a mean age of 48 years old and 17 years of experience in the occupation. Fishing serves as the primary
livelihood for about 59% of the respondents. This study also found that access to extension services was generally
low, with only 32% of fishers having regular access to extension agents. The adoption index indicated that climateresilient practices are still emerging among fishers in the study area with only 15% demonstrated high adoption
among the fishers. The Tobit regression revealed that access to credit, cooperatives or associations membership,
extension service access significantly and positively influenced the adoption of climate-resilient practices. Fishers
with these advantages were more likely to adopt new strategies. Conversely, age was found to have a negative
effect, with older fishers less likely to adopt new adaptation measures. This study recommends raising awareness
about climate change, strengthening social networks, improving access to financial resources, and delivering
targeted extension services to influence adoption of climate-resilient practices among small-scale fishers in the
study area.