Impact of climate change on agriculture and food security in Nigeria: challenges and adaptation

Abstract

Climate change is perhaps the most serious environmental threat to agricultural production in Nigeria. The patterns of the effects of climate change are dependent on latitude, altitude, type of crop grown and livestock reared. The direct impact of climate change on agricultural systems are: changes in rainfall and temperatures which could impact on agro-climatic conditions, altering growing seasons, planting and harvesting calendars, water availability, pest, weed and disease populations. Climate change would also impact on alteration in evapotranspiration, photosynthesis and biomass production and land suitability for agricultural production. Analysis of climatic data from 1914-1970 and 1971-2000 had indicated that there were changes of the onset of rains and cessation. There was also increase in the intensity of the rains. Measures mitigating the impact of climate change and adaptation have been discussed to include: human capital development, increase funding of Research and Technology development, breeding short duration varieties, draining lowland rice fields to reduce emission of methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases), agroforestry, soil and water conservation and trade.