Abstract
In Nigeria, food insecurity remains problematic due to dislocations in the agricultural productivity pathways. Food preferences and utilization patterns are skewed in favor of crop-based staples, which availability in quantity and quality, depend on the aggregate crop output. Unfavorable environmental conditions such as caused by climate change would create some level of vulnerability of the crops and thus have implication on food security. Two components of the Agricultural Value Chain, production and storage, appear to be most responsive to changes in environments with production being the most vulnerable since all the activities involved in the process of production occur in the fields and are weather -dependent. Climate change – directed irregularities or deviation from the normal seasonal patterns such as onset and duration of wet and dry periods, short and prolonged dry spells clearly manifest in various levels of crop vulnerability. It would therefore appear that a sustainable crop-based agricultural system can only be achieved where crop vulnerability is considerably minimized. If climate change effects can be incorporated in the design and implementation of national development programs right away, it will help to reduce vulnerability, stabilize food production and better secure livelihoods. The ecosystem approach with crop rotations, bioorganic fertilizers (e.g., from legumes) and biological pest controls, improves soil health and water retention, increases fertile top soil, reduces soil erosion and maintains productivity over the long term.Key words: vulnerability, climate change, crop productivity.
Highlights
IntroductionAgriculture is understood as all the productive occupation of man that mobilize various forms of resources(natural human and material) to produce or provide food fiber and other forms of raw materials and their transformation into various utilizable or consumable forms
Food preferences and utilization patterns are skewed in favor of crop-based staples, which availability in quantity and quality, depend on the aggregate crop output. Unfavorable environmental conditions such as caused by climate change would create some level of vulnerability of the crops and have implication on food security
The methodology adopted in this paper is extensive review of literature on climate change, its influences on crop agriculture, adaptive/mitigation mechanisms, the authors’ experiences in the field and their reasoned guesses in this rather novel area of agricultural research in Nigeria
Summary
Agriculture is understood as all the productive occupation of man that mobilize various forms of resources(natural human and material) to produce or provide food fiber and other forms of raw materials and their transformation into various utilizable or consumable forms. This may be explained in the context of the agricultural value chain which involves the components of production, processing, storage and marketing ( Fig.). Production is a critical “take off” base or “kick starter” of the value chain especially in crop agriculture, as its quantum outputs and supplies per unit time determine the quantitative input requirements of the other components. Storage has its peculiar constraints as substantial supplies from the production components could be lost due to biodegradation or pest complexes while in storage before or after processing or marketing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
