Indigenous Adaptation Measures Adopted by Rural Farmers in Fct-abuja to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts

The neglect of indigenous knowledge by policymakers and development partners, such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), excludes rural farmers from climate change discourse. This poses challenges to effective climate change adaptation measures among rural farmers. This study was conducted to provide an understanding of the Indigenous Adaptation Measures Adopted by Rural Farmers in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of FCT Abuja, Nigeria. A sample size of 348 rural farmers was randomly selected from the six selected farming communities in FCT, including Kawu, Zuma, Igu, Dobi, Kaida, and Dota communities. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources through Focused Group Discussions and questionnaires. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that rural farmers in FCT-Abuja adopted crop rotation, planting of drought-resistant crops, change of planting dates, and soil conservation as indigenous adaptation measures to mitigate climate change impacts. It established that rural farmers in the FCT consider indigenous adaptation measures very effective. The study recommended that policymakers and development partners design climate change interventions targeting rural farmers in line with indigenous knowledge and practices that are culturally sensitive to make the interventions effective and sustainable.