ABSTRACT
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges of the twenty-first century, with profound implications for agricultural production and food security, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study examined the impact of climate change on agricultural production in Nigeria, using Fresh Farms as a case study. The study was guided by three objectives: to evaluate the effects of rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns on the yields of staple crops; to analyze the socio-economic impact of climate change on the livelihoods and food security of smallholder farmers; and to assess the effectiveness of current climate change adaptation strategies and policies. The study was anchored on four theoretical frameworks: Vulnerability Theory, Sustainable Livelihoods Theory, Climate-Smart Agriculture Theory, and Risk and Hazard Theory. A mixed-methods research design combining descriptive survey and case study approaches was adopted. The target population comprised one hundred and fifty employees of Fresh Farms, from which a sample size of one hundred and ten respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Stratified random sampling was employed to select respondents from three job categories: management staff, supervisory staff, and general farm workers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and direct observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and mean scores) and inferential statistics (chi-square test), while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents agreed that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns have significantly reduced the productivity of staple crops such as maize, rice, and cassava, with overall mean scores of 3.12 for climate impacts on crop yields. The study also found that climate change has had severe socio-economic consequences, including decreased farm income, reduced food availability, increased food prices, and heightened migration, with an overall mean score of 3.16 for socio-economic impacts. Furthermore, the findings indicated that current adaptation strategies and government policies have been largely ineffective, with an overall mean score of 2.78, suggesting that respondents disagreed that these measures have adequately mitigated the negative effects of climate change. The test of hypothesis using the chi-square test revealed a chi-square value of 53.74 with a p-value of 0.000, which is less than the 0.05 level of significance, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis and the acceptance of the alternative hypothesis that climate change has a significant impact on agricultural production in Nigeria. The study concluded that climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods, and that current adaptation efforts are insufficient to address the magnitude of the challenge. The study recommended increased investment in climate-resilient agricultural technologies, strengthening of government policies and institutional support, promotion of livelihood diversification, and enhanced access to credit, insurance, and training for farmers. The study contributes to the empirical literature on climate change impacts in sub-Saharan Africa and provides practical insights for policy makers, agricultural extension agents, and farmers in designing and implementing effective adaptation strategies to build resilience and ensure sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria
