Assessment of Awareness and Adaptation to Climate Change among Rainfed Farmers in Um Alqora Locality, Gezira State, Sudan

Abstract

Climate change represents the major challenge to Sudan agricultural production, economics and food security. Changes in temperature, rainfalls, water availability, increased outbreak of pest and diseases, land degradation, soil erosion, shrinking of grazing and cultivate areas, ongoing desertification and the other aspects of climate change have direct significant impact on agricultural production, productivity and cultivated crops of the country. Field survey was used to collect data from 100 rainfed farmers in Um Alqora Locality, Gezira State, Sudan by using the simple random sampling technique. The collected data were statistically analyzed and interpreted using percentage, frequency distribution and chi-square test. The results showed low percentage of agricultural extension contribution to awareness and adaptation to climate change among rainfed farmers in Um Alqora Locality, Gezira State, Sudan .It can be concluded that the contribution of agricultural extension was very weak in providing farmers with information, knowledge and skills on climate change and adaptation technologies in the Gezira State, Sudan which contributed to this incorrect situation. Thus, agricultural extension officers should be trained in all aspects of climate change and adaptation technologies, agricultural extension should build good linkages with rainfed farmers in the State, and considerable attention should be paid to the agricultural extension programmes for rainfed farmers in the State.