The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Practices and Outputs in Bayelsa State (Published)
This study examined the impact of climate change on agricultural practices and outputs in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Agriculture in the state, largely dominated by subsistence and smallholder farmers, is highly vulnerable to climate variability due to its dependence on rainfall and the region’s fragile ecosystem. Adopting the use of both primary and secondary sources, this research highlighted how rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, flooding, sea-level rise, and increased salinity intrusion have altered the agricultural landscape of Bayelsa State. The study adopted the Political Ecology Theory as a template of study. It revealed that climatic shifts have disrupted planting and harvesting cycles, reduced soil fertility, and contributed to declining crop yields, fish stock depletion, and post-harvest losses. The study underscored the adaptive strategies (including crop diversification, shifting cultivation, the use of traditional forecasting methods, and migration to less flood-prone areas) employed by farmers to mitigate the effects of climate change in Bayelsa State. The paper established that without coordinated interventions such as climate-resilient agricultural policies, infrastructural support, access to improved seedlings, and sustainable environmental management, Bayelsa’s food security and rural livelihoods will remain at risk. It recommends for the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, strengthening of agricultural extension and early warning systems, and investment in infrastructure and irrigation facilities amongst others. It concludes that the impact of climate change on agricultural practices and outputs in Bayelsa State is both profound and multidimensional, affecting crop production, fishing activities, soil fertility, and the livelihood security of farming communities.
Keywords: Agriculture, Bayelsa State, Climate Change, Diversification, Food Security
Assessment of Farmers-Herders Conflict and Food Security in Benue State (Published)
Over the past decade, the intensity of the farmers-herders conflict has notably increased in Nigeria’s middle belt and southern zones, posing a significant threat to the nation’s food security and overall stability. The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) report in 2016 identified it as the single most widely spread peace and security threat in Nigeria. Benue State has an economy that is driven by agriculture and it produces large quantities of farm produce. Sadly, sustained crisis in the State continue to impact its agricultural sector, making it difficult to achieve food security. Consequently, this paper examined the impact of farmers-herders conflict on food security in Benue State. The paper was guided by two research questions. These include: How has the loss of lives due to the farmers-herders conflict undermined crop production in Benue State? How has the forced displacement of farmers and herders undermined food availability in Benue State? To analyze the issues raised, the paper was anchored on the eco-security theory. The estimated population of the study area is 446,000 persons. The paper adopted a mixed-methods approach combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. From the population of the study, a sample size of 600 respondents was drawn using a purposive sampling technique based on the expertise, knowledge and familiarity of the relevant stakeholders with the subject matter and study area. Semi-structured interview and questionnaire instruments were used to generate primary data while secondary data was sourced from relevant literature. Based on the findings of the paper, we recommend that the government should strengthen security in farming areas by deploying more security personnel and establishing community-based early warning systems to prevent attacks.
Keywords: Assessment, Benue State, Conflict, Food Security, farmers-herders