Report of Focus Groups Discussions (FGD) Conducted With Farmers in Eight Villages from Four Northern States

of Nigeria on Adaptation to Climate Change and Radio Listening Habits

Submitted to ARDA by Women Farmers Advancement Network WOFAN

18 Yahaya Gusau Road, NNDC Quarters Box 22(gyad)- Kano

Nigeria wofangroup@yahoo.com

+234-8034964525, +234-962324

Table of Contents

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................... 3

LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................. 3

ACRONYMS ...................................................................................................................... 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................................................................................... 5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................... 6

1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 8

2. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................... 8

3. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STATES..................................................................... 10

4. FINDINGS ................................................................................................................... 12

5. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................ 27

APPENDIX 1 ................................................................................................................... 29

APPENDIX 2 ................................................................................................................... 38

List of Tables Table 1. Population (2006 population census) and land area of the selected States in Nigeria Table 2. Socio-economics and Typology of farmers from four Northern Nigeria States respondents Table 3: Percentage of Farmers who Need Information in Different Areas of Agricultural Activities Table 4a. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits of farmers in Borno State Table 4b. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits of farmers in Kano State Table 4c. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits of farmers in Kaduna State Table 4d. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits of farmers in Katsina State

List of Figures Figure 1. Cross section of women groups in Ungwa Gajere Village during discussions on climate change Figure 2 (Appendix 2). Educational Status of farmers in selected States in Northern Nigeria Figure 3. Cross section of farmers during focus group discussion

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Acronyms ADP Agricultural Development Project

ARDA African Radio Drama Association

BBC British Broadcasting Corporation

DCFRN Developing Countries Farm Radio Network

DfID Department for International Development

FGD Focus Group Discussions

FRCN Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria

IDRC International Development Research Centre

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development

IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

KNARDA Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority

LGA Local Government Area

NGO Non Governmental Organization

VOA Voice of America

WOFAN Women Farmers Advancement Network

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Acknowledgements This report was made possible by the important efforts of many individuals and organizations involved in the project entitled “Evaluating the Efficacy of Radio Drama to strengthen the capacity of smallholder farmers to adapt to Climate Change”. The project is coordinated by the African Radio Drama Association (ARDA) and financially supported by the International Development Research Centre, Canada. This report would not be possible without the significant work of Salamatu Garba (WOFAN) who oversaw and compiled the study with her team of colleagues. Key contributions were made by the entire WOFAN team for the Kaduna and Kano areas as well as from the IFAD project in Katsina and Hussaina Mashi. The team worked hard within a short period of time to deliver good preliminary results which will feed into the development of the ARDA radio drama series. The efforts of the farmers’ organizations and women in Agricultural Department are most appreciated. We are grateful to Dr Hakeem Ajeigbe (IITA), the team Leader for the Gasby project at Kano station, and Dr Kamara for assisting with the FGDs in Borno State. We also acknowledge the work of Helen Hambly Odame at the University of Guelph, Blythe McKay at Developing Countries Farm Radio Network, and Nathalie Beaulieu at IDRC for assisting with the design of the Focus Group Discussion study tools. Finally, thank you to Data Phido (ARDA) who provided overall communication among the partners and review of the study.

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Executive Summary

Climate change is considered a serious threat facing the world today. The agricultural sector especially in the tropics is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It is therefore important to provide relevant information on climate changes issues, expected impact as well as management options to farmers and the rural populace. For the information provided to be effecetive it is necessary to be provided to the widest possible audience in an understandable manner. A study was undertaken for African Radio Drama Association (ARDA) in eight villages covering four States in Northern Nigeria with the aim of gathering qualitative and quantitative, information on the rural populace, their general awareness, beliefs, practices and radio listening habits and identifying the appropriate means of disseminating information to reach wider audiences. The average age of the farmers was 43 to 46 years with an average of 20 years experience in farming. Majority of the farmers keep livestock and have varying level of contact with extension agents and credit facilities. Majority of the farmers are aware of the climate change noting especially the rainfall pattern and higher temperature but they donot know the cuase or have clear cut strategies to fight it. They generally are receptive to adotion of improved technologies expecailly improved varieties and fertilizer application. It was noted that the average farming family in the northern States owned 1 to 2 radios. Both male and female members of the farmers listen to radios regularly. There is no specific time or place for listening to radios as they listen to it at any time and both in the house and on farms. The programs listened to varies from news, religious, and educative as well recreative and drama program.

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Map of Nigeria with the Approximate Location of the Study Village Areas

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1. Introduction Climate change is considered by many scientists to be the most serious threat facing the world today. Climate change will increase the potency of storms, floods, droughts and other weather disasters and also affect agricultural productivities. The agricultural sector is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change which include increases in temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide, decreases in rainfall in some areas, increases in other areas and generally change rainfall patterns and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as drought, fire and flooding. Climate change will seriously affect water resources around the world, which will in turn affect food supply, health, industry, transportation, and ecosystem integrity. Western nations as well as industrialized nations in the South such as China and India are largely charged with more action on such initiatives as phasing out coal plants, expanding renewable energy sources and public transit, and creating new efficiency standards for vehicles and buildings in order to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. There is potential for some impacts to be positive, such as increased rainfall and temperature in some areas but this may be offset by too high temperatures and decreased water availability in other areas. Also, increased soil erosion as a result of reduced ground cover and increased incidence of extreme wind and rain events and management capabilities are points of concern in the tropics particularly sub-Saharan Africa where resources are already overstretched in some areas, the majority of farmers are resource poor and there is a lack of information and scientific capacity to develop strategies for climate change adaptation. It is therefore important and urgent to communicate and provide relevant information to farmers and the rural populace climate changes issues, expected impact as well as management options. It is necessary to use the best available means of communication and to interact with the widest possible audience. Furthermore it is necessary to understand farmers, their needs and present knowledge of the problems of climate change in order to ensure relevant knowledge exchange and action.

A study was undertaken in eight villages covering four States in Northern Nigeria with the aim of gathering qualitative and quantitative, information on the rural populace, their general awareness, beliefs, practices and radio listening habits and identifying the appropriate means of disseminating information to reach wider audiences.

2. Methodology The study was conducted in September 2007. Two groups of participants (10-12 respondents per group) were involved from two communities in four states of Northern Nigeria (a total of approximately 160 farmers). Women were well represented in the

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groups. In each state, one of the communities is already receiving intervention by IITA, WOFAN or the IFAD project while the second was a neighboring community which did not receive assistance. This choice of communities allows for a comparison between the impact of existing interventions on information sharing (such as extension) and the promotion of appropriate technologies. Structured questionnaires (Appendix 1) were randomly administered to individual male and female farmers and farmers groups in eight villages (as mentioned, two each) from four States (Borno, Kano, Katsina and Kaduna) in Northern Nigeria (see the map in Appendix 1). In each village, questionnaires were administered to all the individual farmers present for the discussion, followed by focus group discussions on one male and female group. A brief 10 minute general discussion with the women and men present was intended to allowed the groups to reflect on the study topic, identify past trends and share examples where possible. The data from the returned questionnaires were compiled using spreadsheets .

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3. General Description of the States The total population by sex and the land area covered by each state in this study is listed in Table 1. There is considerable variation in population density among the four states, including a large urban and peri-urban population in Kano.

Table 1. Population (2006 population census) and land area of the selected States in Nigeria State Female Male Total Area (sq km)

Pop. Density (pop/sq km)

Borno 1990036 2161157 4151193 66512

64.12

Kano 4539554 4844128 9383682 20073 467.48 Kaduna 2954534 3112028 6066562 44303 136.93 Katsina 2813896 2978682 5792578 23698 244.43

3.1 Borno State Borno Sate with its capital in Maiduguri, is a state in northeastern Nigeria. It covers an area of 66512sq km with a population (2006) of 4,151193 (Table 1). The state is dominated by the Kanuri ethnic group, with Babur, Chibok, and Fulani as other ethnic groups present in the State. The State is divided into 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The y was conducted in Danboua LGA which has a population of 231573 people in a land area of 6492.4 sq km and Biu LGA with a population of 176072 people in a land area of 3325 sq km. Borno State covers the Sahel, Sudan and the Northern Guinea savannas. The majority of the State is however in the Sahel and Sudan Savanna where rainfall is limited and the problem of climate change is expected to affect agricultural practices significantly. The rains start with some showers in June, stabilize in July and ends in September. Typically rainfall ranged from about 900 mm in the southern part of the state to about 450 in the northern parts. The people are mainly farmers with a significant livestock population. Their main crops are sorghum, millet, maize groundnut, cowpea and vegetable while rice and wheat are grown in the fadamas (inland valleys). and in irrigated areas. Livestock and fisheries from the threatened Lake Chad are also important agricultural activities in the State. 3.2 Kano State Kano State is a state located in North-Western Nigeria. Created on May 27, 1967 from part of the Northern Region, Kano state borders Katsina State to the north-west, Jigawa State to the north-east, and Bauchi and Kaduna states to the south. The capital of Kano State is Kano. Kano state is a showcase in agricultural self-reliance and admirable resource management. Before the creation of Jigawa State, there were over 120 earth dams in the state, the majority of which are located in Kano territory. Today, the dams

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which include Challawa Gorge and Tiga Dam, two of the ambitious irrigation projects in West Africa, ensure year-round farming. Kano is known today as the most irrigated state in the country with more than 3 million hectares of cultivable land. It covers an area of 20073 sq km with a population (2006) of 9383682 made up of 4844128 males and 4539554. The State is divided into 44 LGAs and the survey was conducted in Kabo. Kabo LGA according to the 2006 population figure has a population of 153828 persons on 313 sq km. The State is home to mainly the Hausa/Fulani tribe. The State is located in the Sudan ecological Zone of Nigeria, the transitional belt between the Sahelian region to the North and the humid Savannah to the South. The Zone is characterized by a long dry season (October – May) and a relatively short wet season (June – September). The rainfall is not only scanty and erratic in distribution, but also sparse in volume. The major occupations of the people in the area are crop production, rearing of livestock, trading, pottery and blacksmithing. Kano city was famous for its groundnut pyramid in the 1960s and early 70s. Crops grown include millet, sorghum, maize, rice, wheat, cowpea, groundnut and vegetables. Rice and wheat are grown in the irrigated lands. 3.3 Kaduna State Kaduna State is a state in central northern Nigeria. Its capital is Kaduna. The state is the successor to the old Northern Region of Nigeria, which had its capital at Kaduna. The state is inhabited by Hausa, Fulani, Bajju, Gbaggi, Jabba and a host of other smaller ethnic groups. Kaduna State has a population of 6066562 on 44303 sq km of land. The State is divided into 22 LGAs . The survey was conducted in two villages in Giwa LGA. Giwa LGA is populated by 286427 persons on 1949.8 sq km of land. Kaduna State is largely in the Guinea savanna Zone with 5 to 7 months of rains. The past few years have however seen delay in rain establishment and higher torrential rains leading to flood and erosions. The major occupations of the people in the area are crop production, with a large population of nomadic cattle rearers especially in the dry season. Crops grown include maize, sorghum, millet, rice, soybean, cowpea, groundnut, ginger, cassava and yam. The State also possesses several inland valleys (fadamas) where rice and sugarcane are cultivated. 3.4 Katsina State Katsina State is a state in north central Nigeria. Its capital is Katsina. The state was formed in 1987 from old Kaduna State. It is bounded in the East by Kano State, in the West by Sokoto State, in the South by Kaduna State and in the North by the Niger Republic. The state is dominated by the Hausa/Fulani. It is divided into 34 LGAs and the survey was conducted in two villages in Musawa LGA. Musawa LGA has a population of 171714 people on 859 sq km. As of 2006, Katsina State's estimated population was 5792578 made up of 2813896 females and 2978682 males on a land area of about 23698 sq km. The State is the centre of an agricultural region producing groundnuts, cowpea, cotton, hides, millet and sorghum, and also has mills for producing groundnut oil and steel. Livestock rearing is also an important occupation of the inhabitants of Katsina State.

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4. Findings 4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents Farm household characteristics were collected for the two communities in Borno, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States and presented in Table 2. Table 2. Socio-economics and Typology of farmers from four Northern Nigeria States respondents Borno State Kano State Kaduna State Katsina State Variable Danboau Biu Garo Gude UGajere U/Dogo Garu GangaraMean Age 46.5 45.5 43 48 46 44 43 45 No in Household

11 12 14 12 12 13 11 11

Experience(Yr) in farming

27 24 17 24 11 23

No of farm 3.9 2.4 4 5 3 3 4 2 Total Size(acre)

5.4 1.5 7 6 2.4 4 7 7.3

Dist (km) 2.6 3.9 2 3 6 2 2.2 1.2 Educational Status in Percentage Primary Sch 30 30 40 20 50 20 30 20 Secondary Sch 50 20 10 10 20 20 40 10 Tertiary Sch 10 30 10 0 0 Islamic Sch 10 20 40 70 30 60 30 70 Mean Number of Livestock owned by Farmers Cow 2 1 1 1 4 2 4 2 Sheep 4 2 3 3 8 6 5 2 Goat 6 2 5 6 3 2 6 8 Poultry 15 14 11 16 15 18 12 25 4.1.1 Borno State The socio-economic make up of the farmers in the four States are given in Table 2. The mean age of respondent farmers in Danboa and Biu LGAs were 46 and 45 years with an average household number of 11 and 12 persons respectively. The mean ages of the farmers were in the active years; however the average family size appears high. The farmers had a mean of 27 and 24 years of experience in farming in Danboa and Biu respectively meaning they have been farming since they were about 20 years of age. The farmers would have therefore gained lots of experience in the traditional methods of farming. They had mean of 5.4 and 1.5ha of farmland on 4 and 2 parcels of land in Danboa and Biu respectively. The mean farm sizes are also very low especially in Biu which is a fairly large village. The farmers in Biu were fairly more educated than those in

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Danboua. About 30% of the farmers in Danboa had only primary school education while 50% had up to secondary school education and only 10% had up to tertiary education while 10% had only Islamic education. While in Biu, about 20% of the farmers had only primary school education, 20% percent had up to secondary school education and 30% had upto tertiary education while 10% had only Islamic education. All of the farmers kept livestock, mainly small ruminants. However farmers in Danboa had more animals than those in Biu. While there were mean of 2 cows, 4 sheep, 6 goat and 15 chickens per farmer in Danboa the figure for Biu was 1 cow, 2 sheep, 2 goat and 14 birds per farmer. The farmers grow sorghum, rice, maize, cowpea, groundnut, cotton and vegetables. The majority of the farmers think the farm work load is more on the men than women. They however are of the opinion that the crop yields over the past 5 years have increased and they attributed this to increase in fertilizer use, improved management, and availability of improved crop varieties. They also noted that their contacts with extension agents have improved. ie. The extension agents do visit them more often now (about 3-4 times in a month) compared to before when they only meet them by chance. About 70% of respondent farmers in Danboa belong to farmers’ groups while 90% of respondent farmers in Biu belong to a farmer’s group. When there are low yields, it was mostly attributed to rainfalls which could either be low or too high with bad distribution. They also observed that the incidence of crop pests and diseases had gone up in recent years. In Borno State, the majority of the farmers (70%) depend on traditional wells for domestic water use while others, source their water from rivers and streams. However 80% of water for their livestock is from rivers while their crops depend mainly on rainfall in the two LGAs sampled. Focus group discussions showed that 90% of the farmers in the sampled village have observed water conflict in Danboa, while 40% of thosee in Biu LGA have observed water conflict. The conflicts have however been mainly on domestic water sources, especially the repairs of both traditional wells and the few available bore holes. Non of these conflicts have however resulted in violence as the traditional rulers mostly settle them and repairs of wells are done through community labour or contributions by NGOs, religious groups and occasionally the LGAs were able to repair the boreholes. They both experience frequent drought which is a major cause of low yield and food insecurity. The farmers reported medium to high soil fertility in Biu with moderate erosion, while soil fertility was moderate to low in Danboa with low erosion. Soil fertility is maintained mainly by crop rotation and application of fertilizer in both locations. The practice of agro-forestry varies from place to place within the State, while 20% farmers in Danboa LGA practice agro forestry, a significantly higher number (60%) of the farmers in Biu LGA practice agroforestry. However those that practice agroforestry, do it on a limited scale and mainly plant economic trees or plant trees to provide shade and to demarcate farms.

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The farmers are exposed to market forces for sourcing inputs. Most of the farmers hire labour from the village and neighboring states. All farmers in both LGA obtain their Agric inputs from market at no stable price. Generally, both male and female did the purchase and occasionally obtain credit facilities in the LGA. The youths are very active in agricultural activities and majority of them are attending both primary and secondary schools available in the community. Dry season job includes livestock trading and civil service, 10% of the farmers in Danboa have access to irrigated land and are practicing irrigated farming in the dry season. All the farmers were aware to a large extent of some form of climate change especially the erratic rainfalls, higher temperature, low rainfall and lower water level in the rivers and streams but have no explanation for the cause. 4.1.2 Kano State Garo and Gude towns of Kabo LGA are within 10km from the main city of Kano. The mean years of farming experience of farmers in Ungwa Adawa was 17 years while those in Ungwa Kabo were 24 years putting average years of experience of Kano State farmers at about 21 years. An average farmer had about 4 different farm lands totaling about 7 ha and average distance of 2 km from the homestead in Ungwa Adawa while in Ungwa Kabo an average farmer had about 5 different farm land totaling about 6 ha and an average distance of 3 km from the homestead. The farmers in the state had little formal education but majority had Islamic educations. In Ungwa Adawa 40% of the farmers had primary school education only,10% had up to secondary education and 10% had tertiary education while 40% had only Islamic education. The farmers in Ungwa Kabo were not better off with none of them having tertiary education, 70% with only Islamic education, 10% had up to secondary education and 20 % had primary education. On average respondents eachhad one cow and 3 sheep in both Ungwa Adawa and Ungwa Kabo respectively. Farmers also had an average of 5 and 6 goat and 11 and 16 chickens in Ungwa Adawa and Ungwa Kabo respectively. The farmers grow sorghum, rice, millet, maize, cowpea, groundnut, cotton and vegetables. The majority of farmers think the farm workload is more on the men noting that women were more involved in post-harvest activities. The majority of farmers (80%) noted that the yields of maize, sorghum, cowpea and vegetables have gone up, while many are of the opinion that the yields of millet have gone down or at best have remained stable in the past 5 years. All the farmers attributed the yield increase to fertilizer use and adoption of new improved varieties. In Kano state, prices of farm input is becoming high except through the government subsidy which is not adequate. The State Government in the last three years have been providing subsidy on fertilizers, seed and insecticide to farmer groups, however few farmers get access to these inputs and the quantities are not adequate.

… a farmer who want to cultivate 2 or 3 ha of farm land will at least need 7-8 bags of fertilizer, in a situation where a bag is sold at N2,500-2,800. In addition price increase for implements are also unimaginable!. A hoe that was sold at N120 is now N250, a local ridger of N350 or N400 is now around N700, with

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labor is N150 for evening work per laborer or N300 for morning laborers. It is difficult for a peasant farmer to raise such money. This explains why we resort to borrowing our wives’ livestock to sell to meet part of the farm demands. (Male farmer, 45years old in Gude)

Farmers depended in order of decreasing importance on boreholes, tap water and traditional wells for domestic water as well as for livestock including river and stream water for livestock. However crop production depended mainly on rains. Report showed that half of the farmers that participated in the FGD have observed water conflict, either for domestic use or watering of livestock. Most of these conflict have to do with the maintenance of wells and bore holes.The farmers have experienced drought as a result of irregular rainfall either at the beginning of the rains or at the end. Major consequences of drought reported by the farmers were low crop yield and high prices. Drought management is generally by the use of improved seed and prayer to God for rain. Soil moisture was generally believed to be adequate during the rains and with low water erosion and generally no flooding. Soil fertility is maintained mainly by application of manure and crop rotation. While agro forestry was common in Ungwa Kabo, farmers in Ungwa Adawa generally do not practice it. Access to extension agents has improved over the years though they mostly have to look for the village-based extension agent for information. About 70% of them belong to farmers’ groups which help them access inputs. The majority of farmers’ fertilizers (80%) are obtained from the Market and also through the extension agents (20%). Farm implements are always obtained from the open markets. Most of the farmers hire labour from the village and also the use of community labour. Generally, men farmers do the purchasing of inputs with no availability of credit facilities.

...(the) “credit facilities in Garo is not functioning as designed, the credit or any other farming assistance is not coming to the grassroots as promised. Till date no credit/assistance has ever reached farmers beyond (1measure) of fertilizer. We hope with the coming of this interactive session, WOFAN and other NGO like IITA will help us in addressing these issues…””” male primary school teacher and art-time farmer, Garo, Kaduna State)

The youth are mainly involved in farming. Dry season jobs include petty trading and generally preparing for the next rains. Migration during the dry season is not common among the farmers. All the farmers were aware to a large extent of some form of climate change especially the erratic rainfalls and higher temperatures. All the farmers speak the Hausa language.

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4.1.3 Kaduna State Unguwar Dogo and Unguwar Gajere of Yakadawa Village in Giwa LGA of Kaduna state are about 30km from Zaria. The two communicates reflect typical Hausa communities with a long history of farming trade and animal rearing on both rainfed and irrigation activities. In the two communities, farming and agricultural trading is the major way of life, out of over 40 farmers that participated in the FGD and the questionnaire sampling, only 3 migrate/work outside the Village area. The mean years of farming experience by farmers in the two villages were 20 years with farmers having about 3 different farm lands on the average totaling about 2.4 ha at a mean distance of 6 km from Ungwa Gajere and 4 ha at an average distance of 2 km from the homestead in Ungwa Dogo. Ungwa Dogo therefore has more available land than U/Gajere which is also evidence from average distance they need to cover before getting to the farm. The majority of farmers in Unguwar Gajere are Christians and only 50% of them had primary school education while the rest had no form of education including Islamic. The farmers in Ungwar Dogo are better off with 20% of them having secondary education, 10 % had primary education and 60% with Islamic education. The farmers in Ungwar Dogo are better off with 20% of them having secondary education, 10 % had primary education and 60% with Islamic education. The population is is a fair mixture of Christians and Moslem and all Hausa speaking. Farmers had average of 4 and 2 cows, 8 and 6 sheep, 3 and 2 goats, and 15 and 18 chickens in Ungwar Gajere and Ungwar Dogo respectively. Major crops grown in the communities include maize, sorghum, rice, cowpea, soybean, groundnut, cassava, potatoes and vegetables. The majority of farmers think the farm work load is more on the

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men than women. The women farmers however think there is specialization in farm work, while the women and children most of the planting and harvesting and post harvest activities, the men were more into land preparations and weedings. Fertilizer applications are done by both. Yields of maize, millet and sorghum are reported to be on the increase while the yields of cassava, groundnut and vegetables are thought to be on the decrease. They attributed the increase in yield to improve management, increase in fertilizer use, and availability of improved crop varieties. The low yields of other crops were mainly attributed to low rainfall and increase in pest and diseases. They also observed that the incidence of crop pest and diseases had gone up in recent years.

The majority of farmers (80%) depend on boreholes and traditional wells for domestic water use while water sources for their livestock is from rivers and streams. Outbreaks of typhoid diseases causing high death in Unguwar Gajere restrict the use of wells according to a male respondent in a focus group discussion, …”In the past, there was no conflict over water management but presently there is problem in Unguwar Gajere as we no longer use well water being identified as the main cause of typhoid and high death rate in this area, as such we struggle to get water from the only available borehole.

This problem does not exist in neighbouring communities. Minor drought at the beginning of the season is frequently observed by the farmers and this was noted to affect the yields of crops. The majority of farmers (80%) believe their farm’s soil fertility is low with high soil moisture in the rainy season and medium water erosion. Soil fertility is maintained mainly by crop rotation, intercropping and application of organic and inorganic fertilizer. Crop rotation and intercropping are traditional practices passed down from generation to generations and they adopt it because of the need to produce most of the crops that they need and also to spread labour. It is on this note that Malama Sa’ade Lawan from Giwa LGA of U/Gajere village called on Government and NGOs to assist farmers especially on soil management stating,

We really need professional guide and information on soil testing and analysis in order to improve agricultural productivity. This is because we have been farming without knowing our soil potential but only apply fertilizer as we desire!

Another female respondent from U/Dogo said,

Now that productivity is going down, we are also faced with inadequate fertilizer and irregular rain fall. To crown it all, we see less professionals who are willing to share information on this issue.

Agroforestry is generally not practiced by the farmers. Most of the farmers belong to farmers associations which help in sourcing inputs. Sourcing of inputs which is done mostly by the men is mainly from the market although some of the farmers source their

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seeds of improved varieties from the extension agents and fellow farmers. Most of the farmers hire Labour from the village and neighboring villages. Some of the agro-ecological information required as indicated by farmers includes:

• Weather forecasting • Alternative folder for livestock • Knowledge of water harvesting • Improving soil fertility & water conservation • More fuel efficient cooking and charcoal production techniques • Desert encroachment • Crops production • Pest and disease management

Other marketing information required by farmers in Yakawada includes regular update of local market prices, learning about wholesale markets and exports and improving market demand by adding value to farm produce. The main activities of the youths include farming and schooling. Many of them now go to primary school in their village and secondary school in the neighbouring village. The farmers generally do not migrate in the dry season and mainly engage in trading of farm produce while a few have access to irrigated land which they use in the dry season. All the farmers are aware to a large extent of some form of climate change especially the erratic rainfalls which has caused recent flooding. There was general chorus by the discussants that when drought occurs it results in poor production and hunger in the community. The discussants further stated that they avoid drought damage by planting early maturing crops and avoid planting with the first rain as experience has shown that after the first rain it could take another three to four weeks before a second rain which can cause wilting of their crops. It is also believed that, crop wilting stand at 21-30 days after the last rain. Conclusively both male and female respondents agreed that, rainfall have been delayed longer, and there have been more intense rains in the last five years. 4.1.4 Katsina State Garu and Gangara Village of Musawa LGA is about 97km from Katsina town. The two communities are typical of Hausa communities. Farming, rearing and trading activities are their major vocations. These activities in Garu have become improved with the intervention of IFAD project while the neighboring village Gangara is learning and sharing experience from the community. Farmers in Garu and Gangara possess an average of 4 and 2 pieces of land respectively, however the average total farm size were similar at 7 ha and 7.5 ha respectively, while average farm distances were 2.2 and 1.2 km respectively. 30% of the farmers in Garu had only primary school education, 40% secondary education and 30% had only Islamic education, the majority of the farmers in Gangara (70%) had Islamic education and only 20% had primary school education and 10% had secondary education.

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An average farmer has 4 cows, 5 sheep, 6 goats and 12 chickens in Garu, while an average farmer in Gangara has 2 cows, 2 sheep, 8 goats and 25 chickens. The farmers grow maize, sorghum, cowpea, groundnut, cotton and vegetables. The majority of farmers think the farm workload is more on the men than women. Farmers believe that yields of major crops have gone up as a result of manure and fertilizer usage and are satisfied with the yields being recorded. The main domestic water source in the villages are traditional wells and boreholes which are also used as wells for livestock watering. The crops depend mainly on rains. The rains are not always reliable but water conflict is very rare although droughts especially early season are increasingly becoming common. Sometimes rains stop before the end of the season and this usually results in reduced crop yields including fodder availability. They usually plant intercrop and pray for rain to prevent drought. Table 3: Percentage of Farmers who Need Information in Different Areas of Agricultural Activities Area Danboau Biu Garo Gude U/Gajere U/Dogo Garu Gangara

Crop forecasting 60 60 60 20 90 30 100 20

Crop production 70 60 100 90 60 70 90 70

Fodder

production

30 10 100 30 60 10 70 70

Crop fertility 60 50 100 90 80 50 80 30

Pest/disease mgt 70 40 100 100 40 40 60 70

Water harvest 30 20 100 30 40 10 100 30

Weather ext 10 40 60 20 30 30 30

Fuel Efficiency 30 10 90 20 80 50 20

Desert

encroachment

70 50 60 50 40 50 70 70

Indigenous

knowledge

30 70 50 50 60 50 60 60

Market price 60 60 40 60 100 100 40 80

Whole sale 60 70 60 60 80 60 100 40

Market demand 60 70 100 100 100 100 100 100

The majority of the farmers believe their fields are of moderate fertility and are more worried of rainfall than soil fertilizer. Soil fertility is maintained mainly by crop rotation and application of organic and inorganic fertilizer. About 80% of the farmers are aware of agro forestry but practice it on a limited scale. Sourcing of inputs which is done mostly by the men is mainly from the market with constantly increasing prices, and the majority of farmers from Gangara particularly are not able to access credit facilities. However, some male farmers in Garu community who are receiving intervention from the IFAD project have access to loans from agricultural bank and IFAD while women are yet to start benefiting but have been promised and mobilized for that. The credit system in

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Gangara community of the same area works in such a way that men borrow or take their wives’ livestock during the raining/farming season to sell and pay back during harvest when they have sold off their farm produce. This practice also exists in Gude/Garo of Kabo LGA in Kano State.

We have an understanding with our wives where they loan us their livestock during the raining season when our food stuff are finished and our pockets empty and we pay back or buy another livestock for them after harvest. Those with more than one wife do better as the wives are eager to compete in showing their concern to the family by offering their livestock and other valuables that can be used to source for the family! (male farmer Musawa LGA)

This practice was also the same in Gude of Kabo, Kano State and Yakawada of Giwa, Kaduna State. The farmers also source seeds of improved varieties from the extension agents and fellow farmers. The farmers present noted that improved seed are usually gotten from fellow farmers or friends from neighbouring villages. Most of the farmers hire labour from the village and neighboring villages. Youth activities are mainly farming based. A few of the farmers (20%) migrate in the dry season while the majority of them are into petty trading and livestock rearing. Hiring of labour especially for weeding is very common. 4.2 Information Needs For improved productivity and management of the effect of climate change and also control of negative activities that contribute to unfavorable climate change, awareness is needed on various agricultural activities. The percentage of farmers who need information in different areas of agricultural activities is given in table3 above and fig 4 below: 4.2.1 Crop Forecasting Except for Gude from Kabo LGA of Kano state, (20%), Ungwa Dogo (30%) and Gangara (30%), the majority of the farmers 60% to 90% from the other locations reported need for information on crop forecasting. This information which includes planting dates, expected yield etc are very relevant to maintain productivity and food security.

…this year we have suffered the impact of low rainfall and drought to the extent that we had to replant our crops three 3times before the rain became normal! After which pests such as insects and cricket, fungal diseases destroyed our crops- you can see to what extent we need information of climate change and weather forecasting a male farmer in Gude)

Another farmer (location?), said,

Amount of rainfall has reduced drastically and when it rains it becomes so heavy that it is causing flooding and erosion .For instance a few days back it rained heavily and erosion has washed away our farm lands including the

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crops..Traditionally farmers prepare cross ridging, planting of grasses on slopes to prevent erosion.

4.2.2 Crop Production The percentage of farmers who would like to be constantly updated or who feel they are not getting enough information on crop production practices ranged from 60 % in Kaduna State to 100 % in Kano State. Crop production practices include new improved varieties of various crops, and cropping systems. ,

I have a farm land with produce that sustains my family for only half the year. After planting I do first and second hoe/tilling with both manure and fertilizer application, but still the crop yield/product is going down every year I don’t know what to do!...male farmer, Gude, Kano

Another farmer Mallam Salisi Gude said he has termites on his farm which disallow him to cultivate his desired crops on his farm. According to him whenever he plants the crops will be attacked by termites despite the pesticides he uses. However, when pressed further in a chat it was discovered that he buys his pesticide from the hawkers who are likely to sell fake and adulterated chemicals. This explains the urgent need to raise awareness on dangers of fake pesticides and how to identify them. It is important also to provide timely information through radio and extension messages to meet the farmers needs! Two farmers also said they have their farms on a gentle slope and whenever they plant and there is a heavy downpour, their crops are washed away. One female respondent Mallam Sakina from Giwa LGA explained the constraint her husband faces on a type of stubborn grass which has been multiplying on their farm and the neighboring areas and disrupts normal crop growth. According to her they have not been able to identify a herbicide that can clear the grass which has covered most of their farm area. 4.2.3 Fodder Production The information need of farmers for fodder production was generally low except for parts of Katsina and of Kano States. This is understandable as the majority of livestock are kept under extensive form of production where limited housing and feeding while the animals are mostly free ranging in the villages and farms. While the large ruminant (cattle) are kept by nomadic cattle rearers, the small ruminants are kept by crop farmers, but are also largely left on free range given only domestic by products and crop residues. An exception to this is the work bulls which must be well-fed to maintain high performance for draught and transport. Inadequate farm land may also have limited the interest in fodder production. 4.2.4 Crop Fertility The interest in information on crop fertility was high in all of the locations except Gangara. The percentage of farmers who are interested in information on crop fertility ranged from 30% in Gangara to 100% in Ungwar Adawa. Crop fertility information is essential to maintain high crop productivities. In all of the areas where farmers recorded

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increases in crop yields, they attributed these yield increases to be partly due to fertilizer use. The indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizer could have negative effects on the environment and therefore the latest information of crop fertilization and soil fertility maintenance needs to be passed to the farmers as demanded. 4.2.5 Pest and Disease Management The farmers in all locations noted that the incidence of pest and diseases have increased in the past 5 years and therefore the high interest by many of them for information on pest and diseases. Pest and disease control have also increased the cost of production and resulted in reduced yields. The percentage of farmers interested in information on pest and diseases ranged from 40 to 100% with an overall average of 60%. However, in Kano State all of the farmers reportedly signified the need for information on pests and diseases. This information which includes pest and disease control through use of chemicals and resistant varieties are very important for sustainable productivity. In addition, advance knowledge of disease or insect outbreaks are sourced for by the farmers as this would ease control. 4.2.6 Water Harvesting In many areas the concept of water harvesting is new and many farmers don’t understand it. However in parts of Kano and Katsina States where it had been introduced interest for information was 100% among the farmers. 4.2.7 Weather Forecasting The demand for information on weather forecasting was low 10 to 60%, with overall average of 30%. This information is necessary in determining planting dates of various crops. The farmers felt that weather establishment is determined by rain and that once the ground is wet enough farmers don’t need to be told to plant. However we feel this is erroneous because of the false establishment that is common in the last few years and the resulting early season drought. 4.2.8 Fuel Efficiency Majority of the farmers (over 90%) depend on wood for household cooking. Indiscriminate falling of trees has been identified as a contributing factor to climate change and therefore fuel efficiency or sourcing alternative source of energy for cooking will go a long way in reducing the demand for firewood. However, farmers don’t seem to be aware of this important point. The demand for information on fuel efficiency were generally low except in Angwa Adawa (90%)in Kano State and Ungwa Gajere (80%) in Kaduna State. In the other locations only about 30% of the farmers demanded for information on fuel efficiencies. 4.2.9 Desert encroachment Desert encroachment is a very alarming aspect of climate change in Nigeria. Desert encroachment negatively affects the lives of millions of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa yearly. The percentage of farmers who noted the importance of information on climate change ranged from 40 to 70% with an average of 60%. Farmers in Borno and Katsina States were generally more interested in desert encroachments than those in Kaduna

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State. Borno and Katsina States are mostly in the Sudan savanna zone which is more threaten by desert encroachments than the northern guinea savanna zone where Kaduna State is located. 4.2.10 Indigenous Knowledge The average age of the farmers was above 40 years and average years of experience in farming was above 20 years meaning most of the farmers would have gathered experience in local methods and indigenous knowledge of doing things or coping with adverse weather conditions. About 50% of the farmers felt there were needs to give information on indigenous knowledge from other locations. These include farming practices like adapted varieties intercropping and crop rotations, storage and crop preservation practices. 4.2.11 Market Prices Information demand on market price was ranging from 40% to 100% in some locations. Adequate market information allows farmers to plan and also to sell at the highest possible price and this is important for farmers’ livelihoods. 4.2.12 Whole Sale/Market Demand The demand of farm produce is closely related to price that would be offered for it. The market information system is therefore very important to the farmers. Farmers are aware of this and the percentage of farmers who stated that information is needed in the area of market demand and whole sale ranged from 60% to 100% with and average of over 90%. 4.3 Medium of Communication It is generally recognized that the best medium for communicating with rural farmers is through the radio. The majority of the farmers are known to own radios, even in areas without electricity. Farmers could listen to their radio anytime of the day even on the farms. For example, in Danboa, farmers get 80% of new information through the radio even though they reported having extension agents working the area. However, in trying to disseminate information to the male and female farmers it necessary to have information on their listening habits including the time and station preferred so as to reach the widest possible audience. 4.3.1 Borno State The radio listening habits of farmers in Borno State is given in table 4a. 90% of farmers in Danboa possess 1 to 3 radios and 90% of the radios are in good working condition, while 70% of farmers in Biu possess 1-2 radios which are all in good condition. The farmers also actively listen to recorded activities including music as 80% of the radios have cassette players. 40 and 20% of the women in Danboa and Biu owns radios.

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Table 4a. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits of farmers in Borno State Danboa Biu Percentage of recipient who posses radio 90 70 No of radio/ person 1-3 1-2 Percentage of recipients whose radio is in good condition 90 100 Percentage of radios with cassette players 80 80 Percentage of women who own radios 40 20 Reception (good) 100 100 Listening time to radio Morning: Male 100 100 Female 70 40 Evening: Male 100 100 Female 60 60 Radio Stations FRCN Kaduna 80 70 Radio Borno 60 60 Radio Gombe 100 100 BBC 100 100 VOA 100 100

All of the men farmers listen to radio programs both in the mornings and evenings, while 55% of the women farmers listen to radio programs in the morning and 60% listen to the programs in the evenings. Reception is generally of high quality in all locations. The farmers have array of choice and listen to various radio stations for various programs. About 80% of the farmers listen to programs from FRCN Kaduna, 60% to Radio Borno, and all the farmers listen to programs from Radio Gombe, BBC and VOA. The farmers listen to the Hausa news service of VOA and BBC regularly while they listen to Kanuri programs from radio Borno and other Hausa and Kanuri programs. It is of interest to note that only 60% of farmers listen to programs by radio Borno, while all the farmers listen to programs by radio Gombe. This may be because the survey was conducted in Biu and Danboa which are geographically nearer Gombe, the capital of Gombe State than Maiduguri the capital of Borno State. 4.3.2 Kano State The radio listening habits of farmers in Kano State is given in table 4b. 90% of farmers in Ungwa Angwa possessed 1 to 2 radios which are all are in good working condition, while all of the farmers in Ungwa Kabo possessed 1-2 radios which are all in good condition. 75 and 58% of farmers’ radios have cassette players in Ungwa Adawa and Ungwa Kabo respectively. A 90 and 58%of the women in Ungwa Adawa and Ungwa Kabo respectively own radios and all the women have access to radio. Listening time appeared not to be time specific as the majority of farmers listen to radio programs both in the morning and evenings and with good reception quality.

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Table 4b. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits Farmers in Kano State U/Adawa U/KaboPercentage of recipient who posses radio 90 100 No of radio/ person 1-2 1-2 Percentage of recipient whose radio is in good condition 100 100 Percentage of radio with cassette 75 58 Percentage of women who owns radio 90 58 Reception (good) 100 100 Listen time to radio Morning Male 75 100 Female 75 100 Evening Male 100 100 Female 75 100 Radio Stations FRCN Kaduna 20 25 Radio Kano 2 20 60 Freedom Radio 60 40 Ray Power 20 10 BBC 10 10 VOA 25 25

This discussion group in Kano state revealed that each participant has a radio with tape recorder in working order that operates on batteries and or available electricity with good reception and multiple frequencies. According to the participants, listening to radio is a habit that keeps one up to date. Some of the programmmes listened to include: Taskar labarai, Inda Ranka, Nomad a KNARDA, harama manoma, Kowane gauta, News, Religious and other educative programmmes. Stations listened to include FRCN Kaduna, Radio Kano, and Freedom Radio. Discussions reveal 80% of women own a radio, in the community. Men groups acknowledge preferring educative, Religious, political and News on Radio Kaduna, Freedom and Radio Kano while women listen to program like Taska, Cookery, preaching, Kowanne guta. Children on their own part are interested in programs like Ina yara, animal garden, and entertainment and recitation competition. However the farmers listen to programs mainly from Radio Kano 2 and Freedom radio. Some of the programs listened to by both men and women at the same time are Taska, Inda Ranka Kowanne gauta, news, Preaching and Nomad a KNARDA. Each individual has ownership of his/her Radio, women have control over their radios as such they can switch on and off at their own will

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4.3.3 Kaduna State Source of information on agriculture in Ungwa Gajere are radio (50%) and extension agents (50%). In Ungwa Dogo 60% of their information comes from extension agents and 40% come from radio. This shows that radio is a significant source of information in Kaduna State. The radio listening habits of farmers in Kaduna State is given in table 4c. All of the farmers including women farmers possessed 1 to 4 radios which are all in good working conditions and all the radios had cassette players. All of the farmers listen to their radios both in the morning and evenings. This is not surprising considering that all of the farmers own radio and this shows that the farmer in this area are highly informed. Farmers generally listen to programs by FRCN Kaduna, Supreme FM, BBC and VOA. However the FRCN programs are more popular with the farmers. The farmers listen to BBC and VOA Hausa service news, farmers directed programs from FRCN Kaduna. Religious and entertainment programs from Supreme FM Station and FRCN are also tuned to. Most of these programs are in Hausa language which is spoken by all the farmers. Table 4c. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits of Farmers in Kaduna State U/Gajere U/Dogo Percentage of recipient who posses radio 90 100 No of radio/ person 1-4 1-5 Percentage of recipient whose radio is in good condition 100 100 Percentage of radio with cassette 100 100 Percentage of women who owns radio 100 100 Reception (good) 100 100 Listening time to radio Morning Male 100 100 Female 100 100 Evening Male 100 100 Female 100 100 Radio Stations FRCN Kaduna 70 100 Supreme FM 30 40 BBC 80 50 VOA 20 40 4.3.4 Katsina State The radio listening habits of farmers in Katsina State is given in table 4d. About 75% of the farmers in Katsina State possess 1 to 2 radios, all of them in good condition and having high quality receptions. However, in some locations the percentage of radios with cassette players was low (30%). Most of the women also possess radios. Listening to radio is a well cultivated habit among the farmers as there is no specific time or place where they listen to it. Some of them also take the radio with them to farm and listen while working on the farm. Farmers generally listen to programs by FRCN Kaduna, Radio Katsina Freedom Radio, BBC and VOA. The farmers listen to BBC and VOA

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Hausa service news, farmer-targeted programs from FRCN Kaduna and Katsina State. Farmers’ favourite programs include news, Taskira, Musaura, Sarkin Noma and Inda ranka. Most of these programs are in Hausa language which is spoken by all the farmers. Table 4d. Possession of Radio and Radio Listening Habits of Farmers in Katsina State Garu Gangara Percentage of recipient who posses radio 80 70 No of radio/ person 1-2 1-2 Percentage of recipient whose radio is in good condition 100 100 Percentage of radio with cassette 80 30 Percentage of women who owns radio 100 60 Reception (good) 100 100 Listening time to radio: Morning Male 100 100 Female 60 100 Evening Male 100 100 Female 100 100 Radio Stations FRCN Kaduna 90 100 Radio Katsina 90 90 Freedom Radio 80 40 BBC 100 40 VOA 100 40

5. Conclusions It is evidently clear that the formal education of farmers in the four states in this study is low, however the farmers have an average of about 20 years experience during which many of them have interacted with agricultural extension agents and are also knowledgeable about the traditional methods of cultivations and other agricultural practices. All of the farmers practice rain fed agriculture on a land holding of about 4ha, but a few also have access to irrigable lands. Livestock especially small ruminants are kept by the farmers and these form an integral part of their agricultural activities. Hired labor is very common and is increasing in many of the areas. Water for domestic use is mainly from traditional wells and boreholes wherever available. The practice of agroforestry is not common even though they depend on wood for domestic cooking, however, they try to preserve economic trees on their farms for economic benefits. The farmers are aware of climate change, mentioning irregularity of rains as the most visible to them. Priority information needed by farmers includes improving crop productivity, fertility maintenance, pest management and market information. Other information of interest

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includes desert encroachment and fuel efficiency. However, the female farmers were more interested in fuel efficiency and water harvesting. The majority of the farmers (both males and females) has access to and actively use radios for listening to news, agricultural, religious and entertainment programs. Many of the women also have radios bought by them, however those that did not have radios, have access to radios. The listening time is not specific as almost all farmers listen to their radios both in the morning, afternoon and evening depending on available programs. Most of the farmers in Kano, Katsina and Kaduna State speak Hausa language fluently while many of those in Borno State also speak Hausa, in addition to Kanuri and Babur. The FRCN radio Kaduna, BBC and VOA Hausa service are listened to by farmers in all of the states in addition to State radio stations and FM stations. Therefore in relay messages to farmers FRCN Kaduna will have a larger audience and this can be supplemented with State radio stations. Farmers are already used to several agricultural programs which can also be used to advertise any new programs. Lastly, it was observed that in each state that has a community benefiting from an intervention, the neighboring communities are found to be also benefiting in terms of information and technology sharing. This clearly shows that this project will go along way in reaching hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries, as information through radio and the extension strategies will give the desired timely and relevant information on climate change adaptation to the farmers.

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Appendix 1

Climate Change and Radio Listening Habit Discussion Guide

Women Farmers Advancement Network WOFAN 18 Yahaya Gusau Road, NNDC Quarters

Box 22(gyad)- Kano Nigeria

wofangroup@yahoo.com+234-8034964525, +234-962324

Seeking Verbal Consent Form for Participants Involved in the Study: Sample Statement We are involved in a study of how farmers are adapting to climate change in your community. We would like to invite you to participate in a three-hour group discussion. You are free to choose whether or not to participate in this study and non-participation will have no impact on you. If you choose to take part, you can choose to withdraw at any time and can refuse to answer any questions about which you are unhappy. You can ask for clarification at any time. All information you provide will be confidential. The information you provide may be audio-recorded to preserve the data recorded in the discussion. This recorded information will also be kept confidential. Do you provide your consent to participate in this survey? (Yes/No) Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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All answers provided by respondents in this exercise will be used with utmost confidentiality and will be used strictly for the objectives specified. General identification/Location

State ………………………………………………………. LGA …………………………………................................. Village/Community …………………….............................. Name of Group ……………………………………………… average population Number of households in the community…………………….. Number of primary schools in the community Major vocations of community members………………………. Language of interview ………………………………………….. Date of Interview …………………….. Name of Interviewer ………………….

Ask them to say a little about themselves……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………. Check to see if any group members have permanent work in another village or town apart from present location…………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Ask the participants for brief verbal history of their farming activities. (Note major agro-ecological changes in last ten years, for example has drought been cyclical? Sporadic?) …………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………… As if the farmer lives within a village - record distance of the fields (time spent walking to arable lands)

No educational level

no of farms

Farm size(s)

Distance of the field(s)

Time spent in walking to arable land

Years of experience as a farmer

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Nature of Agricultural and Land Use Activities 1. How do you make your living?

…………………………………………………………………………. 2. What crops do you grow? (use the crops here in the table included for question 6)

3. How has the amount produced of each crop varied over the past five years?

Gone up Gone down No change Maize Beans Cassava millet sorghum g/nut vegetable

4. Why has the amount produced varied (if they mention ‘seasonal variance due to

drought’ ask them for other reasons too)?

5. Are you satisfied / dissatisfied with the current production? - Why or why not?

………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………

6. Do you have any livestock, if so what and how many?

…………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………

7. What food do the livestock eat? Is it enough? ………………………………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………….

8. What are the main water sources? - For drinking water a……………. b……………… c………………. - For water for livestock a……………. b…………… c………………… - For water for crops a……………. …..b…………… c…………………

9. Does conflict occur over managing water resources?

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…………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 10. What consequences occur when there is a drought? How do you deal with it? …………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11. What would you do if droughts became more frequent or longer? ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 12. How are the rains in terms of their reliability in the past 5 years?

13. How would you rank the soil fertility on your fields ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 14. How long does it take for plants to start wilting after it rains?

……………………………………………………………………….

Fertility Soil moisture

nutrients erosion water erosion/ logging

salinity flooding

Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor

15. What is your experience with erosion in the past 5 years? ……………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 16. How do you improve soil fertility on your land? a)……………………….b)……………………………….c)………………………….. 17. Have you tried any practices that you have dropped? …………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………….

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17a) If Yes, Why did you drop them? …………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 18. Do you practice water harvesting? If so, which methods? a)……………………….b)……………………………….c)…………………………..

19. Do you practice any agro forestry activities?

- Green fences / border planting - Planting N-fixing species in fields - Fruit production - Sale of tree seedlings - Others (specify)

20. Where do you get the inputs used for farming and tree planting?

- Fertilizers (organic, inorganic) - Seed for crops - Tree seedlings - Tools, polybags, etc.

21. How have the prices of inputs changed over the past five to ten years? ……………………………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 22. Who purchases the inputs for farming?

- discuss role of men ……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………. - and role of women……………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………….

23. How does the credit system operate in your community?

- For men………………………………………………………………. - For women ………………………………………………………………..

-

24. Do people hire labour for farming in your community? If so explain, how many people are hired, where do the labourers come from, when and for what tasks? …………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………..

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25. In this community,what farm activities do children do? ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 26. What are the most important sources of information for your farming activities? ……………………………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 27. Do you have visits from extension officers and NGOs which help farmers?

…………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 28. Do you belong to a farmers’ group?

- If yes, tell us about the future plans for your farmers’ group and its activities

…………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………..

29. Tell us about the future plans for your farmers group and its activities.

……………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………….

30. a)What is the existing knowledge of farmers about climate change? ……………………………………………………………………………….. b)What would you like to have more knowledge of? (This can be done using a participatory technique of ranking and scoring)

Agro-ecological information (e.g. techniques, seasonal activities) o Weather forecasting o Alternative fodder for livestock o Knowledge of water harvesting o Improving soil fertility and water conservation o More fuel efficient cooking and charcoal production techniques o Desert encroachment o Crop productivity o Pest and disease management

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o Weather extremes o Indigenous knowledge practices o Other practices

Marketing information (e.g. marketing margins, transport, product diversity);

• Market prices in local markets • Learn about wholesale markets, role of wholesaler-traders • Market demand • Quality requirements for crops

31. Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your farming activities, your expectations for the future and any questions you may have?

……………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Section II Radio Listening Questions and other questions 32. What languages do you speak at home?

33. Do you speak any other languages?

34. What is your ethnicity?

35. What is your religion? 36. What do you do in the dry season…………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………..

37. Do you migrate during dry season Yes…………….No……………. If yes or no e explain your answer……………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………. 38. Where?.................................. How long? …………………..How long has it been that you are back? …………………………………….

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39. What is the Income level of FG participants [ask participants, if children are going to

school, the amount of food they have to eat and in storage, what kind of electronic equipment they have, what kind of roofing they have, what their walls are made of, where their wells are located, if they have pit tpolets, what kind of transportation they use, size of herds, # of wives etc – the questions will vary depending on who you are talking with. Some of the answers may come from observations that the research team makes.]:

a. very poor: b. poor: c. average: d. well-off: e. extremely well-off:

39. Do you own a radio?

If yes a. how many b. are they are broken or in working condition c. do they operate on batteries or another source of energy d. are they are only radios, or radios with a tape deck f. what is the quality of the reception g. what frequencies that work]

41. Do you listen to the radio? [If yes, ask:]

a. What times do you listen? b. What programs do you listen to? ……………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………….. c. what stations broadcast these programmes…………………………. …………………………………………………………………………

40. Do women own radios in this community? ………………………………….. 41. What programmes do you listen to? Men……………………………….which station……………………….. Women……………………………… which station……………………….. Children…………………………….. which station……………………….. What programmes do women and men listen to together ……………………………………………………………….

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……………………………………………………………….

41b) (reconfirm). How many people live in your house? ………………….how are you related?.............................................................................

42. Who does the radio(s) belong to?................................................................. 43. Who switches the radio on and off? ………………………………………

46. Who chooses the channel? .........................................................

47. Where do you listen? (Prompt: in the house, outside…?)

……………………………………………………………………………….

48. What kinds of programs would you yourself like to hear on the radio? …………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………….

(Smaller Number of Individuals selected after the discussion group)

Daily Schedules for the Household - What is your typical work day like for members of your household?

Wife Husband School age children 5:00 – 6:00 6:00 – 7:00 7:00 – 8:00 8:00 – 9:00 9:00 – 10:00 10:00 – 11:00 11:00 – 12:00 12:00 – 13:00 13:00 – 14:00 14:00 – 15:00 15:00 – 16:00 16:00 – 17:00 17:00 – 18:00 18:00 – 19:00 19:00 – 20:00 20:00 – 21:00 21:00 – 22:00

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Appendix 2 (Figure 2): Educational Status of farmers in selected States in Northern Nigeria

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