Authors :
Emmanuel Afeonkhai; Augusta Aondoaver Shahin; Margaret M. Otu
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3kwtkpvd
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/4caxut7s
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec1200
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Climate change poses significant challenges to agricultural sustainability in Benue State, Nigeria. This study assesses
climate change governance and examines its implications for sustainable agricultural practices in the state. Using policy and
legal analysis complemented by empirical evidence from agricultural stakeholders, the study reveals that although climate-
related policies exist, weak implementation, limited institutional coordination, and inadequate stakeholder engagement
constrain effective climate adaptation in agriculture. These governance deficiencies reduce farmers’ capacity to adopt climate-
resilient and sustainable practices. The study argues that strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing institutional coherence,
and promoting inclusive governance are essential for improving agricultural sustainability in Benue State. The findings
contribute to ongoing debates on climate change governance and sustainable agriculture in subnational contexts.
Keywords :
Climate Change Governance; Agricultural Sustainability; Climate Adaptation; Environmental Law; Sustainable Agriculture.
References :
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- Adenle, A. A., Ford, J. D., Morton, J., & Twomlow, S. (2023). Institutional challenges to climate change adaptation in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Climate Policy, 23(4), 472–486. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2022.2144891
- Akinro, A. O., Opeyemi, D. A., & Ologunagba, I. B. (2021). Climate change and agricultural sustainability in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Environmental Challenges, 5, 100320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100320
- Ayanlade, A., & Adelekan, I. O. (2023). Climate change adaptation and agricultural vulnerability in Nigeria: Evidence from smallholder farmers. Climate and Development, 15(3), 219–232. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2022.2079424
- Biermann, F., Hickmann, T., & Sénit, C. A. (2022). The political impact of the sustainable development goals: Transforming governance through global goals? Global Environmental Change, 74, 102536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102536
- Bulkeley, H., Andonova, L. B., Betsill, M. M., & Compagnon, D. (2023). Governing climate change through multilevel institutions. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 48, 239–265. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-120920-091947
- Eleri, E. O., Ujah, U., & Onuvae, P. (2022). Nigeria’s climate change governance architecture: Gaps and opportunities. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 12(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-022-00366-9
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2023). Climate-smart agriculture: A framework for sustainable food systems. FAO.
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2024). The state of food and agriculture 2024: Climate change, agriculture and resilience. FAO.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2023). Sixth Assessment Report: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.
- Ibrahim, H. Y., Sadiq, M. S., & Yusuf, A. A. (2024). Flooding, climate risks, and agricultural livelihoods in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Natural Hazards, 121(2), 2159–2178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-06125-4
- Jordan, A., Huitema, D., Hildén, M., Van Asselt, H., Rayner, T., & Schoenefeld, J. (2021). Climate change governance: An interdisciplinary perspective. Environmental Politics, 30(1–2), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2020.1811961
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). Annual abstract of statistics. Government of Nigeria.
- Ojo, T. O., & Baiyegunhi, L. J. S. (2023). Climate change, food security and smallholder farmers’ adaptation in Nigeria. Sustainability, 15(5), 4312. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054312
- Olawuyi, D. S. (2022). Advancing climate governance in Africa: The role of law and institutions. Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31(2), 206–218. https://doi.org/10.1111/reel.12431
- Onyeneke, R. U., & Madukwe, D. K. (2022). Adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers to climate change in Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 7, 100256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100256
- Scoones, I., Stirling, A., Abrol, D., Atela, J., Charli-Joseph, L., Eakin, H., Ely, A., Olsson, P., Pereira, L., Priya, R., van Zwanenberg, P., & Yang, L. (2022).
- Transformations to sustainability: Combining structural, systemic and enabling approaches. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 54, 101–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2022.101110
- Umar, B. B., Sadiq, M. S., & Ahmed, A. A. (2024). Climate-smart agriculture and adaptation capacity of smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Agriculture & Food Security, 13(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-024-00441-7
- World Bank. (2023). Climate-smart agriculture and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. World Bank Publications.
- World Bank. (2024). Enhancing climate resilience in African agriculture. World Bank Publications.
Climate change poses significant challenges to agricultural sustainability in Benue State, Nigeria. This study assesses
climate change governance and examines its implications for sustainable agricultural practices in the state. Using policy and
legal analysis complemented by empirical evidence from agricultural stakeholders, the study reveals that although climate-
related policies exist, weak implementation, limited institutional coordination, and inadequate stakeholder engagement
constrain effective climate adaptation in agriculture. These governance deficiencies reduce farmers’ capacity to adopt climate-
resilient and sustainable practices. The study argues that strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing institutional coherence,
and promoting inclusive governance are essential for improving agricultural sustainability in Benue State. The findings
contribute to ongoing debates on climate change governance and sustainable agriculture in subnational contexts.
Keywords :
Climate Change Governance; Agricultural Sustainability; Climate Adaptation; Environmental Law; Sustainable Agriculture.