Abstract

The study examined farmer’s perception on changes in climate variables in Sokoto State. Eight local government areas in Sokoto East senatorial district were purposively selected due to their vulnerability to climatic changes. Proportionate sampling was employed to select the eight villages. A total of two hundred and twenty three (223) questionnaires were administered. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. ANOVA was used to test the significant differences between climatic variables in ten years. The results indicated that majority of the respondents (67.9%) agreed that rain normally starts by April-May and that the month of August had the highest amount of rainfall; and 2010 recorded the highest amount of rainfall in ten years from 2000-2010. It was evident from the results that the highest dry spell was recorded in 2011. 56.1% of the respondents perceived that August was the period of lowest temperature (31.97°C) and 20.6% reported that the year 2008 had the highest temperature (36.91°C)  in ten years, from 2000-2010. Farmers were aware of the increased change in the climatic indices. It is recommended that farmers need to be sensitized on the importance of afforestation programme to mitigate climate change.

Key words: Perception, climate change, climate variables.