Assessment of the rice farming households’ perception on the consequences of climate change induced flooding in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the perception of rice farming households on the consequences of climate change and induced flooding in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 407 respondents for the study.  Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. There are significant effects of flooding leading to decrease in rice yield (90.4%), with 17bags and 3bags before and after flooding. Perceived reasons for increase and decrease in rice yields are good agronomic practices (3.4%), early maturing/resistant varieties (2.7%) and change in planting date (4.2%). Perceived reasons for decreases in yield are flooding (88.7%), inadequate capital (73.0%) and poor extension services (24.3%). Majority (87.7%) had high perception of flooding with experience (97.5%). There is loss of farm land (97.1%) and water pollution (54.8%) due to flood. Flood occurs mostly around September (69.0%) in 2020 (60.0%) with severe intensity (82.3%) lasting 3 months (36.1%) affecting rice at ripening stage (50.9%). Factors of usage of flood adaptive measures are marital status, rice hectarage, farming experience and access to credit. Main constraints are high cost of inputs (=2.87), dearth of resistant varieties (=2.71) and insufficient financing (=2.60) respectively. It was concluded that respondents have high perception (87.7%) on drivers of flooding and it was recommended that main drivers of flood be mitigated and handled by development partners on climate change, farmers group and stakeholders in rice farming.