Rural Farmers’ Awareness of Climate Change Indicators: A Study in FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

The exclusion of rural farmers from climate change discourse by policymakers and development partners, particularly Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), is often rooted in a disregard for their awareness of climate change indicators. This oversight undermines the effectiveness of climate change interventions targeting these communities. This study explored rural farmers’ awareness of climate change indicators in six farming communities—Kawu, Zuma, Igu, Dobi, Kaida, and Dota, located within the Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A total of 348 rural farmers were randomly selected across the study areas. Data were gathered through a combination of primary and secondary sources, including Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and structured questionnaires. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed in the analysis. The findings reveal a high level of awareness of climate change indicators among rural farmers in the FCT. Specifically, the farmers identified altered rainfall patterns, shifts in weather conditions, increased temperature and heat intensity, and declining harvests as key indicators of climate change. The study recommended that policymakers and development partners, including NGOs, acknowledge and leverage the existing awareness among rural farmers by actively involving them in the formulation and implementation of climate change interventions aimed at their communities.