Adebooye, O: Biotechnology Development and threat of Climate

The study assessed adaptation of Osun State fish farmers to climate change with a view to providing sustainable adaptive strategies to vagaries of weather in Nigeria. Quantitative data were collected with an aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to summarise the data while Multinomial Logit Model and Adaptation Strategy Index were used to determine the choice of Adaptation Strategies and the extent of use of the strategies by fish farmers in the State. The results showed that the mean age of fish farmers was 48 years and the mean fish farming experience was 8 years. About 75 percent of the respondents perceived climate change but only 29 percent of them took actions to reduce the impacts of the climate change. Adaptation strategies used to reduce the impacts include reinforcement of dyke, provision of shade, and practice of polyculture. Others include, ensure free flow of water, change stocking periods and provision of reservoir. Adaptive Strategy Use Index showed that reinforcement of dyke was mostly used among the adaptive strategies followed by provision of shade, practice of polyculture, free flow of water, change stocking period and provision of reservoir. Also Multinomial logit model showed that fish farming experience, education, information and size of fishpond are important factors to be considered when planning climate change programmes for fish farmers. The study concluded that many fish farmers perceived change in climate but few of them attempted to reduce the impacts of the change by adopting different adaptation strategies.