Comparative Assessment of Crop Farmer’s Vulnerability to Climate Change in Delta State, Nigeria

• Author(s): Omonigho Goodluck Mamuro ; Ede Tiekuro
• Paper ID: 1710185
• Page: 1265-1278
• Published Date: 31-08-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 2 August-2025

Abstract

Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which supports a large proportion of the population, is highly susceptible to climate extremes, particularly in the Niger Delta region. This study provides a comparative analysis of crop farmers’ vulnerability to climate change in Delta State’s two major agro ecological zones: the mangrove swamp and freshwater swamp. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and weighted mean scoring was applied to standardized indicators of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Using the IPCC vulnerability framework (VI = Exposure + Sensitivity ? Adaptive Capacity), zone-specific indices were computed. In the mangrove zone, Exposure = 0.592, Sensitivity = 0.522, Adaptive Capacity = 0.212, yielding a Vulnerability Index (VI) of 0.902. In the freshwater zone, Exposure = 0.533, Sensitivity = 0.577, Adaptive Capacity = 0.328, yielding a VI of 0.782. These results indicate that while both zones are highly vulnerable, the mangrove zone faces greater risk due to higher exposure and markedly lower adaptive capacity. The findings underscore the importance of ecological differentiation in vulnerability assessments and highlight the inadequacy of generalized regional approaches. By providing empirical evidence of spatial variations in vulnerability, this study offers critical insights for targeted adaptation strategies and policy planning. Specifically, improving adaptive capacity in the mangrove zone is essential for safeguarding livelihoods and strengthening resilience in Delta State’s coastal farming communities.

Keywords

Climate Change, Vulnerability Index, Exposure, Sensitivity, Adaptive Capacity, Mangrove Swamp, Freshwater Swamp, Delta State

Citations

IRE Journals:
Omonigho Goodluck Mamuro , Ede Tiekuro "Comparative Assessment of Crop Farmer’s Vulnerability to Climate Change in Delta State, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 2 2025 Page 1265-1278

IEEE:
Omonigho Goodluck Mamuro , Ede Tiekuro "Comparative Assessment of Crop Farmer’s Vulnerability to Climate Change in Delta State, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(2)