10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of tomato farmers, perceived effects of climate change (CC) on production, their training needs between farmers’ competence and importance rating on tomato climate-smart measures. A total of 256 tomato farmers were recruited for the study. A Borich model analysis was employed to identify the training needs of tomato farmers regarding their vulnerabilities to climate change. Majority of the repondents were male (92.19%) and married (95.31%). Heat stress leading to complete loss of tomato produce was the most severe effect of CC (mean = 4.03) with high overall effect (85.1%). Temperature forecasts to adjust planting, use shading, and select heat-tolerant varieties (mean = 0.24); resistant tomato varieties against key pests to reduce losses from climate-driven pest surges (mean = 0.20); staking and pruning to reduce disease incidence (mean = 0.20); solar-powered water pumps to reduce fossil fuel use for irrigation (mean = 0.31); crop diversification economics to balance land use and reduce environmental pressure (mean = 0.59); and APPEALS programme enrolment for tomato groups in demonstrations and matching grants (mean = 0.37) were the topmost training needs across climatology, entomology, agronomy, mechanisation, agricultural economics, and extension services respectively. Regression analysis revealed climate vulnerability, household size and access to knowledge as key determinants of training needs. This confirms that the tomato farmers’ training needs is largely driven by human capital depth and climate vulnerability. Thus, extension training outreach should focus on areas of training needs identified to reduce vulnerability without neglecting improving human capital.