Submitted | Training Needs Assessment of Tomato Farmers: Climate-Smart Measures – A Borich Model Analysis
- Jul 31, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 20
Ololade Latifat Abdulrahman1,2 Sidiqat Adeyemi Aderinoye-Abdulwahab3, Wegayehu Fitawek4, Sola Emmanuel Komolafe1
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria; 2 Future Africa, University of Pretoria, South Africa; 3 Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin, Nigeria; 4 Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
Manuscript submitted to Climate and Development Journal
Abstract: This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of tomato farmers, the perceived effects of climate change (CC), and the training needs of farmers on tomato climate-smart measures. A total of 256 tomato farmers were recruited for the study using the Borich Needs Assessment Model. The majority of the respondents were male (92.19%). Heat stress was perceived as the most severe effect of CC (mean = 4.03) with an overall effect of 85.1%. Temperature forecasts to adjust planting, shading techniques and heat-tolerant varieties (mean = 0.24); resistant varieties to reduce climate-induced pests outbreaks (mean = 0.20); staking and pruning to reduce disease incidence (mean = 0.20); solar-powered irrigation system (mean = 0.31); crop diversification economics to balance land use and reduce environmental pressure (mean = 0.59); and enrolment in APPEALS demonstration programme (mean = 0.37) were key training needs identified under climatology, entomology, agronomy, mechanisation, agricultural economics, and extension services respectively. Regression analysis revealed that climate vulnerability, household size, and access to knowledge significantly influence training needs. This confirms that the tomato farmers’ training needs are largely driven by human capital depth and climate vulnerability. Thus, extension interventions should focus on identified areas of training needs while strengthening farmers’ human capital to enhance climate resilience.
Keywords: Tomato production, Climate-smart measures, Training needs, Borich Model
