An Evaluation of Effect of Climate Change on Food Security of Rural Households in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the linkage between climate change and food security of rural households in Cross River state. The specific objectives are to ascertain the level of food security of rural households and impacts of climate change factors on the food security of rural households. Cross River State is located within Latitude 05°13’ 26’’ North and longitude 08° 17’ 44’’ East with an estimated population of 2.888,966 persons. The state is a coastal area usually affected by climate events (flooding) coupled with existing oil spillage hazard. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select local government areas, communities and rural households for the study. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed using descriptive statistic, food security index and correlation matrix. The mean annual income of the rural farming households in Cross River state was N71, 895 ($412) revealing a low annual income with a large household size of 9 persons. The food security index in the State was found to be moderately food insecure with food security having statistically significant relationship with the climate change factors. The impact perceived by the rural households on climate events was severe. The percentage of losses of annual income was 67.07%. It is therefore recommended that Government and donor agencies should provide a short-term relief measures to alleviate the food insecurity situations in the state and entrench a policy of long term development of agriculture. The rural farming households should be encouraged to carry out climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in alleviating the food insecurity situation in the state.