Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Resilience in River Benue Communities, Nigeria

Abstract

Rural communities along Nigeria’s River Benue face increasing climate variability, erratic rainfall, floods, and droughts that threaten their predominantly agricultural and fishing livelihoods. This study assesses how indigenous knowledge (IK) and traditional practices enhance climate resilience in selected River Benue communities. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted 120 household interviews across six villages, complemented by four focus group discussions and secondary literature review. Results show that 78% of farmers rely on natural indicators (such as animal behaviour, plant phenology, wind, and cloud patterns) to predict seasonal weather, which increases planting timeliness by an estimated 24% compared to those who adopt later. About 65% of households practice water harvesting and communal pond storage, while 71% cultivate drought-resistant crops such as millet, sorghum, cassava, and cowpea. Agroforestry and mulching are employed by 59% of respondents, leading to an average 18% increase in soil moisture retention during dry spells. Commons management remains strong: 82% of communities enforce taboos or rotational fishing rules, while fish fences (weirs) on the river contribute up to 35% of seasonal fish catch. Local institutions, particularly village councils and elders, resolve over 70% of reported disputes on land and water access through mediation. Collectively, these IK-based strategies have improved household food security by 22% (measured as months of adequate food provisioning) and reduced income loss from climate shocks by 15% over the past decade. The findings demonstrate that integrating ancestral wisdom with modern adaptation strategies can significantly strengthen resilience, safeguard livelihoods, and promote sustainable development in River Benue communities under a changing climate.