EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIVITY AND HEAT STRESS ADAPTATION IN KADUNA

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIVITY AND HEAT STRESS ADAPTATION IN KADUNA 1.1 Background of the Study Livestock farming remains a cornerstone of agricultural production worldwide, significantly contributing to global food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2021), livestock provides about 40% of the global agricultural GDP and sustains the livelihoods of nearly 1.3 billion people, particularly in developing countries. In tropical regions, livestock is not only a source of nutrition but also an essential asset for income generation and socio-cultural activities. The productivity and sustainability of livestock farming, however, face mounting challenges from environmental factors, with climate change identified as a foremost threat (Thornton et al., 2022). Climate change, characterized by shifts in temperature, precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, poses severe risks to agricultural systems globally (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2023). The tropical regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, are disproportionately affected due to their ecological sensitivity and limited adaptive capacity (Nardone et al., 2020). Elevated temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns disrupt feed availability, water resources, and the health of animals, thereby undermining livestock productivity. In Kaduna State, Nigeria, these climatic changes exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in the livestock sector, threatening food security and economic stability in the region (Adamu et al., 2023). A critical consequence of climate change in livestock farming is heat stress—a condition where animals are unable to maintain thermal equilibrium due to excessive heat load. Heat stress has been defined by West (2021) as the physiological strain imposed on animals when environmental heat gain exceeds their capacity for heat dissipation. It affects multiple aspects of animal health and productivity, including reduced feed intake, impaired reproduction, lowered immunity, and increased mortality rates (Collier et al., 2020). Studies indicate that heat stress can cause up to a 20% reduction in milk yield in dairy cattle and similarly compromise growth rates and egg production in poultry (Renaudeau et al., 2021). This underscores the urgency of understanding and mitigating heat stress impacts in tropical livestock systems. Adaptation strategies to heat stress have garnered increasing research attention as a means to safeguard livestock productivity amid climatic uncertainties. These strategies encompass genetic improvements, managerial interventions such as provision of shade and cooling systems, nutritional modifications, and the development of heat-tolerant breeds (Hansen, 2020). For instance, heat-tolerant indigenous breeds often show greater resilience compared to exotic high-yielding breeds but may have lower baseline productivity, creating a trade-off for farmers (Mekonnen et al., 2022). Therefore, identifying effective adaptation methods tailored to local ecological and socio-economic contexts is essential. In Kaduna State, livestock farming forms a vital part of the agricultural economy, involving diverse species such as cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry. Despite the importance of this sector, there is limited empirical data on the specific impacts of climate change-induced heat stress on livestock productivity and the efficacy of existing adaptation strategies in the region. This gap hinders evidence-based policy formulation and targeted interventions by agricultural and environmental agencies. Consequently, this study aims to evaluate the impact of climate change on livestock productivity in Kaduna State, with a particular focus on heat stress and adaptive responses among farmers. ________________________________________ 1.2 Statement of the Problem Climate change has increasingly manifested as a significant stressor on livestock production systems worldwide, with tangible effects on animal health, productivity, and survival (Nardone et al., 2020). In Kaduna State, rising temperatures and prolonged dry spells have led to documented cases of livestock mortality and decreased yields, affecting farmers’ livelihoods and regional food supplies (Adamu et al., 2023). Heat stress exacerbates these problems by directly impairing physiological functions and indirectly by reducing forage quality and water availability. While global and regional studies have extensively examined the effects of climate change on livestock, research specifically focusing on Kaduna State remains scarce. Existing literature often generalizes tropical Africa without addressing local environmental variables, farming practices, or breed-specific vulnerabilities (Thornton et al., 2022; Mekonnen et al., 2022). Adaptation strategies employed by farmers in Kaduna—such as breed selection, housing improvements, and feed adjustments—are documented anecdotally but lack rigorous evaluation concerning their effectiveness under current and projected climatic conditions. Moreover, the absence of localized data impedes the design of adaptive policies that could mitigate the adverse impacts of heat stress on livestock. This creates a knowledge gap between global climate change narratives and the ground realities faced by Kaduna’s livestock farmers. The premise of this study, therefore, is to fill this gap by generating empirical evidence on how climate change affects livestock productivity and the adaptive capacities of farmers in Kaduna State. The findings aim to guide sustainable livestock management and climate resilience strategies tailored to the region’s specific challenges. ________________________________________ 1.3 Objectives of the Study 1. To assess the extent of climate change impacts, particularly heat stress, on livestock productivity in Kaduna State. 2. To identify and evaluate the adaptation strategies employed by livestock farmers to mitigate heat stress effects. 3. To analyze the relationship between climatic variables and livestock health and yield outcomes. 4. To recommend sustainable adaptation measures and policy interventions to enhance livestock resilience to climate change. ________________________________________ 1.4 Research Questions 1. What is the impact of heat stress on livestock productivity in Kaduna State? 2. What adaptation strategies are currently utilized by livestock farmers to combat heat stress? 3. How do climatic variables such as temperature and rainfall relate to livestock health and productivity? 4. What sustainable measures can be recommended to improve livestock resilience to climate change in Kaduna? ________________________________________ 1.5 Research Hypotheses 1. There is a significant negative impact of heat stress due to climate change on livestock productivity in Kaduna State. 2. Adaptation strategies employed by livestock farmers significantly mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress on livestock productivity. ________________________________________ 1.6 Significance of the Study This study provides vital empirical data for policymakers, enabling them to develop targeted interventions aimed at enhancing livestock productivity and sustainability under climate change pressures. By identifying effective adaptation strategies, the research supports evidence-based policy formulation that can improve resource allocation and extension services in Kaduna State. For the livestock farming community, the study offers practical insights into adaptive measures that reduce heat stress vulnerability and improve animal welfare and productivity. Empowering farmers with such knowledge contributes to increased food security, economic stability, and improved livelihoods. Academically, the research fills a critical knowledge gap in climate change adaptation literature within Nigerian livestock systems. It advances scholarly understanding of local climate impacts, farmer responses, and resilience mechanisms, providing a foundation for further studies and comparative analyses in similar ecological zones. ________________________________________ 1.7 Scope of the Study This study focuses on livestock production systems within Kaduna State, Nigeria, examining cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry as primary animal groups. The central variables include climatic factors (temperature, rainfall), indicators of heat stress (physiological and behavioral signs), livestock productivity metrics (growth rates, mortality, reproduction), and adaptation strategies (housing, breed selection, nutritional management). Geographically, the research is confined to selected livestock farming communities across Kaduna State, encompassing both rural and peri-urban areas. This spatial focus allows for contextual analysis of climatic impacts and adaptive capacities within diverse farming systems.