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The Albanian agriculture sector is deeply affected by climate change. To cope with climate change, it is necessary to understand its consequences. The views of agriculture extension service experts are crucial in improving farmers' understanding and resilience, especially when farming practices are poorly adapted to the changing climate. This paper analyses the risks from climate change and the adaptive capacity of farmers based on an expert evaluation survey. The respondents identified prolongation of drought durations, rising temperatures, above-average occurrences of floods, pre-seasonal rainfall and frost as primary risks during recent years. Extension experts view a high (negative) impact from climate change through processes such as increased plant diseases occurrence, increased exposure to rodents, harmful insects and pests for plants and livestock, as well as forest and pasture degradation. The paper also provides experts' opinions on the policy implications, such as considerations about adaptation strategies towards climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern zone of Cameroon, which depends mainly on agriculture, is considered one of the most vulnerable regions in the country to climate change. Few studies based on field data have examined the changes in climatic conditions that affect agriculture. This research focuses on fluctuations in precipitation that determine dry and wet seasons. From 1973 to 2020, data were collected from weather stations located in three major cities in northern Cameroon: Ngaoundere, Garoua and Maroua. Data were tested for homogeneity using the Pettitt and Buishand tests. Trends were analyzed using the Mann–Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator and the regression line, while drought severity was assessed using the standardized rainfall index method. These data homogeneity tests were performed using two statistical tools, SPSS and XLSTA software. According to Pettitt's test, rainfall increased by 29.6% in Ngaoundere from 1997 to 2020 compared to the previous years of 1973–1996; in Garoua, rainfall increased by 36.2% from 1988 to 2020 compared to the previous years of 1973–1987. However, from 1973 to 2020, the average rainfall in Maroua remained stable at approximately 716.5 mm, with a decreasing trend according to the Mann–Kendall test. In conclusion, this study shows that rainfall has increased significantly in the cities of Ngaoundere and Garoua, making these areas favorable for seasonal and market gardening. However, in Maroua, caution is advised, as rainfall is reportedly decreasing in this locality, increasing the risk of food insecurity. A credible climate warning system must be implemented on a large scale to guide farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pfumvudza is a Zimbabwean vernacular language term literally referring to the blooming of new leaves during the spring season signalling the beginning of a new farming season. It used to refer, to the conservation agriculture concept, a crop production intensification approach under which farmers ensure the efficient use of resources on a small area of land in order to optimise its management. The research assessed the effectiveness of Pfumvudza as a resilient strategy against climate change induced drought impacts in rural communities Zimbabwe, case of Munyarari ward 20. The descriptive case study was used triangulating data collection methods. The sample size was 96 households who practised Pfumvudza (20% of the target population) and all the 18 households (100%) which did not practise Pfumvudza. These were randomly sampled from five conveniently selected villages in the ward. Four key informants were purposively selected. Data was analysed using SPSS and content analysis. Climate change induced drought impacts greatly affected communal farmers who depended on rain fed agriculture. This led to food insecurity which attracted donor aid year after year. Pfumvudza improved yields and reduced donor aid in the area. Mann–Whitney test results indicated that there was a difference between yields of crops before and after Pfumvudza scheme. Mann–Whitney test results also revealed that there was a significance difference between those who practiced Pfumvudza and those who did not. It was concluded that Pfumvudza increased resilience against climate change induced drought impacts and improved yields in rural communities of Zimbabwe where it was implemented. The research recommends farmers to fully embrace the Pfumvudza strategy so as to realize high yields and improve food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the awareness and perception of climate change among smallholder farmers across two agroecological zones (AEZs) of Oyo state Southwest Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 400 respondents from eight local government areas. Climate data were analysed for differences within and between the two AEZs with the Mann–Kendall and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, respectively. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and responses are presented as frequencies and percentages. A Tobit regression model was used to unravel the determinants of awareness and perception of climate change among the farmers. Significant differences were observed in the climate variables within and across the AEZs. The farmers were aware of, and perceived changes in temperature, rainfall, increasing incidence of pests and the occurrence of diseases, drought, and a prolonged dry season as indicators of climate change. The Tobit regression analysis pointed to agroecological zones, land tenure systems and religion as significant determinants of climate change awareness and perception among the farmers. The results of this study posit that an increase in the level of understanding of climate change indicators among smallholder farmers will birth a deeper interpretation of the effects of climate change on agriculture. This will assist smallholder farmers in preparing effective and scaled-up indigenous responses to combat the effects of climate change on their farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Annals of the Association of American Geographers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)