Impact Of Climate Change On Farming Practices And Crop Yields Of Rice, Maize And Millet In Baruten, Edu, Pategi, Kaiama, and Moro Local Government Areas (LGAs) Of Kwara North, Kwara State, Nigeria

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of climate change on farming practices and crop yields of Rice, Maize and Millet in Baruten, Edu, Pategi, Kaiama, and Moro Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kwara North, Kwara State, Nigeria. using both government data on annual temperatures and crop yields, and structured questionnaire survey responses from 245 farmers from the study areas. Findings revealed that 79.2% of farmers observed changing weather patterns over the past decade, with 67.8% reporting altered growing seasons and 71% experiencing decreased crop yields. Additionally, 72.2% noted new challenges with pests and diseases, and 69% struggled to access enough water for irrigation due to unpredictable rainfall. In response, 64.5% of farmers have changed their practices, 53.1% have adopted water-saving methods, and 69.4% now use soil conservation techniques. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of temperature changes on crop yields (p = 0.043). These results highlight the urgent need for climate-resilient practices, better access to climate information, and targeted support to help farmers in Kwara North adapt to changing conditions and secure food production. This study offers valuable insights for policy efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria ‘s agricultural sector against climate risks. These findings highlight the need for immediate measures to address contamination sources and ensure the safety of these vegetables for consumers.