Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094

October 2014 Vol. 3(10): pp. 321-328

Copyright © 2014 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Perceived effects of climate change on household water resourses in Benue State, Nigeria.

^*Nwobodo, Cynthia E and A. E. Agwu

Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

*Corresponding Author's Email:cynthynice@yahoo.com; Cynthia.nnaji@unn.edu.ng

Accepted 14 October 2014

Abstract

The study assessed the effects of climate change on household water resources in Benue State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents. Data were collected using interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis. Perceived effects of climate change on water resources include: decrease in the quantity of fish in water bodies (M=3.93), increased conflict over water resources (M=3.72), increased energy and time spent on water collection (M=3.63), increase in the amount of money spent on water (M=3.43), decrease in the quality of surface water (M=3.39), decrease in groundwater level (M=3.32), shrinking of surface water (M=3.18), among others. Strategies for ameliorating the impacts of climate change on water resources include: integrated water resources management (M=3.91), participatory risk assessment involving the local people and all other stakeholders (M=3.90), encouraging local watershed management (M=3.88), and mainstreaming gender in community water management (M=3.79) among others. It was recommended that development agencies should adopt integrated water resources management in helping people adapt to the effects of climate change on water resources. This can be achieved by ensuring that water provision intervention considers provision of water in terms of its development, use and protection and also considering all sectors and institutions which use and affect water resources.  

Keywords: effects, climate change, household, water resources.