An Assessment of Risk Management And Coping Strategies Of Farm Families In Southern Borno

Abstract

This work assessed the behaviour of farm families in anticipation of a shock and after its occurrence.The study utilized primary data obtained through the use of questionnaire administered on the respon-dent. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were sampled and interviewe through a multistage random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Re- sult of the analysis revealed that farmers in the area suffered from crop failure, flood, drought, price fluctuation, bush fires and pests infestation. Management strategie identified include farm migration, savings and diversification. Coping strategies identified include remittances, extended working hours and diversification. A large number of the respondents reported no management strategy (60.8%) or coping strategy (77.4%), ignorance, fear to acknowledge the presence of risk, and beliefs were found to be the reasons why majority of the farmers have no risk management or coping strategy. This find- ing revealed that the vulnerability of the farm families to adverse effects of shocks is high. It was rec-ommended that extension should educate farm families on risk, its management and coping strategies to help place them at a vantage point against shocks.