CLIMATE CHANGE ON GROWING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN ITU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE ABSTRACT

CLIMATE CHANGE ON GROWING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN ITU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of climate change on growing Agricultural products in Itu Lcoal Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Research questions were stated to guide and direct this study. The researcher adopted the survey research design. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the sample size of five hundred (500) out of a population of 25, 406 farmers within Itu Local Government Area. Questionnaire were used in collecting information from respondent. Data collected were analyzed base on the research questions. The analysis revealed that climate change influence the growing of agricultural products example cocoa, fluted pumpkin and fisheries etc and also influences the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers. Summary and conclusion were drawn based on the study. It was recommended that Government should ensure that farmers are enlighten on the useful and relevant information on climate change through seminar, workshops and public exhibition so as to make them adjust and adopt coping strategies in sustaining the different crop production patterns. This strategies include; using new, improved and drought tolerant species, practicing irrigation etc. and that these farm inputs should be given to the farmers at subsidized rate to improve farming.   

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                PAGES

Title page    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        i

Certification         -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        ii

Dedication  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        iii

Acknowledgements -               -        -        -        -        -        -        iv

Abstract -   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        v

Table of contents -        -        -        -        -        -        -        vi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1            Background to the study         -        -        -        -        -        1

1.2     Statement of the problem        -        -        -        -        -        3

1.3     Purpose of the study      -        -        -        -        -        -        5

1.4     Research questions        -        -        -        -        -        -        6

1.5     Significance of the study         -        -        -        -        -        7

1.6     Scope of the study         -        -        -        -        -        -        7

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

         

2.1     Conceptual Review of Literature      -        -        -        10

2.1.1The concept of Climate Change          -        -        -        10

2.1.2The Concept of Agricultural products         -        -        14

2.1.3  Causes of Climate change        -        -        -        -        16

2.1.4  Effects of climate change         -        -        -        -        -        17

2.1.5  Impact of climate change on agriculture     -        -        20

2.2     Empirical Review          -        -        -        -        -        -        25

2.2.1  The influence of climate change on cocoa

          Production  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        25

2.2.2  The influence of climate change on fluted pumpkin

          Production- -        -        -        -        -        -        -        29

2.2.3  The influence of climate change on fishery

          Production  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        30

2.2.4  Socio-economic and climate change impact on

          Agriculture -        -        -        -        -        -        -        33

2.3     Summary of Literature -        -        -        -        -        36

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1     Research design    -        -        -        -        -        -        39

3.2     Area of the study -        -        -        -        -        -        40

3.3     Population of the study -        -        -        -        -        41

3.4     Sample and sampling technique        -        -        -        42     

3.5     Instrumentation    -        -        -        -        -        -        42     

3.6     Validity of the instrument       -        -        -        -        43     

3.7     Reliability of the instrument    -        -        -        -        44     

3.8     Administration of instrument -        -        -        -        44

3.9     Data analysis technique           -        -        -        -        -        45     

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND RESULTS

4.1     Data Analysis and Result        -        -        -        -        -        47

4.2     Summary of Results      -        -        -        -        -        64

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1     Discussion of finding -   -        -        -        -        -        66

5.1.1  Effect of Climate change on the

          Socio-economic Characteristics of Farmers         -        67

5.1.2  Influence of Climate Change on Growing Cocoa  -        69

5.1.3Influence of Climate Change on Growing Fluted

          Pumpkin     -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        70

5.1.4  Effect of Climate Change on Fish Farming          -        72

5.1.5  Strategies Adopted in Sustaining Different Crop

          Production  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        73

5.2     Conclusion -        -        -        -        -        -        -        74

5.3     Educational implication of the study          -        -        76

5.4     Recommendations         -        -        -        -        -        -        77

5.5     Limitation of the study  -        -        -        -        -        79

5.6     Suggestion for further studies -        -        -        -        80

         

REFERENCES   -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        81

Appendix I -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        84

Appendix II (Questionnaire)   -        -        -        -        -        83

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

          Climate is a dynamic phenomenon that changes continually with a long-term warming and cooling cycles. It is the average atmospheric condition of a place within a long period of time, say 35 years. Climate change means a change or variability in weather of a region over a period of at least 30 years (1PCC, 2001). This simply means a change in the average weather condition that a given region experienced over a specific period of time.

          Climate change is one of the most serious environmental threats facing mankind worldwide. It affects agriculture in several was, including its direct impact on food production. Climate change which is attributable to the natural climate cycle and human activities has adversely affected agricultural productivity in Africa (Zer-vogel et. al. 2006). Available evidence shows that climate change is global, likewise its impact but the most adverse effects will be felt mainly by developing countries, especially those in Africa, due to their low level of coping capabilities. Nigeria is one of these developing countries (Odjugo, 2010).

          Broad scientific agreement now exist that continued accumulation of heat-trapping “Greenhouse” gases in the atmosphere will eventually lead to changes in the global climate and in the climate of region around the world. The agreement is expressed in the 1996 report of the inter-governmental panel of leading natural and social scientists sponsored by the United Nation Environment Programme and the world meteorological organization.

          As the planet warms, rainfall pattern shifted and extreme event such as droughts, floods and forest fire become more frequent (Zollick, 2009) which result in poor and unpredictable yield thereby making farmers more vulnerable. Farmers face prospect of tragic crop failure, reduced agricultural productivity, increased hunger, malnutrition and diseases. It is projected hat crop yield in Africa may fall by 10-20% by 2050 or even up to 50% due to climate change. This is because African agriculture is predominately rain-fed and hence fundamentally dependent on vagaries of weather. As the people strive to overcome poverty and advance economic growth, this phenomenon threatens to deepen vulnerabilities erode hard-won gain and serous undermine prospects for development (WBGU 2004, Zoellick 2009). This is therefore the need for concerted efforts toward tackling this menace.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

          Climate change has become a major challenge to a nation-wide that it cannot be overlooked. It worsen many of the threat to forest such as pest outbreak, fire, human development and drought which result in poor or unpredictable yield thereby increasing hunger, mal-nutrition and diseases. Changes in rainfall seasons are likely to cause severe water shortage or flooding with far reaching implication on agriculture, forestry, fishing and health systems. And, also rising temperature still cause shift in crop growing seasons which affects food security and also changes in the distribution of disease vectors putting more people at risk.

          Temperature rise will potentially and severally increase rates of extinction for many habitats and species; particularly affected will be tropical rainforest and aquatic habitats.

          Despite the important roles of farmers have played in producing food for the masses and animals, the bad situation of the climate change still discourage production of large quantity of food. Therefore useful suggestions and recommendations will be made from the results of findings which will serve as reference point to avert future occurrences of unfavourable climate change.

1.3     Purpose of the Study

          The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of climate change on growing different farming products. Specifically, this study is aimed at achieving the following objectives:

1.     Examine the socio-economic characteristics of different farm house-holds.

2.     Determine the effect of climate change on cocoa production.

3.     Determine the effect of climate change on fluted pumpkin production.

4.     Determine the effect of climate change on fish farming.

5.     Find out the coping strategies adopted by farmers in adjusting to the impact of climate change on growing different farm products.

1.4     Research Questions

The following research questions were presented to guide the study:

1.     How does climate change affects the socio-economic characteristic of the farmers?

2.     What is the influence of climate change on growing cocoa production?

3.      What is the influence of climate change on growing fluted pumpkin production?

4.     How does climate affect fish farming production?

5.     What coping strategies were adopted by farmers in sustaining the different crops production patter?

1.5     Significance of the Study

1.     The finding of this study will improve and enhance farmers to boost agricultural products.

2.     Assist farmers to identify and make adequate measures in farm production during excessive climate change conditions.

3.     It will enlighten the farmers on the impact of climate change on agricultural activities and their possible remedies.

4.     Help farmers adopt strategies in adjusting to the impact of climate changes on growing agricultural products.

1.6     Scope of the Study

          The study will focus on climate change which is the dependent variables of the study. The following agricultural products, namely: cocoa production, fluted pumpkin production and fish farming which are the independent variable will be studied to find out whether they are influenced by climate change. These variables have been selected because; they have not been studied in relation to climate change in the locale of the study.

          To ensure an in-depth study, this research work intends to cover Itu which is one of the oldest Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State. Itu has 79 villages, 5 clans and 10 political wards. Itu is located in the mangrove swamp forest zone of Nigeria and it is bounded in the west by Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, to the south by Uran Local Government Area, to the east by Cross River State and to the North by Arochukwu in Abia State. The population of the area is 127, 856 (NPC, 2006) and their major occupation is farming fishing and trading.