AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON RICE PRODUCTION AT KACHA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

The production of enough food to match population growth while preserving the environment is a key challenge, especially in the face of climate change. This study analyses the relationship between climatic variable (rainfall) and rice production. The extent of variability in the annual rainfall and rice production at Katcha, Niger State, Nigeria has been determined. Data on annual rainfall (mm) and rice production (tonnes) were collected for a period from 1987 to 2011. The analytical tools used were Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, Standard deviation, Coefficient of variation, line graph and questionnaire. The final result of the correlation (0.72) shows that there is significant relationship between rainfall and rice production in Katcha. The final result of Coefficient of variation shows that 9.1% variability in the amount of rainfall led to a great loss of 37.7% of annual rice production within twenty five years (1987-2011). This is equivalent to 1% (297.0 mm) variability in rainfall amount led to 4.1% (17,830.2 tonnes) loss of rice production during the period. The questionnaire revealed that erratic pattern of rainfall has largely affected rice production farmers in the study area. It is suggested that rice varieties that can survive with good yield in adverse climatic conditions be developed by breeders to reduce rainfall effects on rice production. It is also recommended that religious and traditional rulers be engaged to convince the farmers to accept daily, monthly and annual rainfall forecast irrespective of their religious believe.