Measures for Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change on Crop Production in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the causes, effects and measures for mitigating climate change to ensure adequate supply of food through crop production to address the food insecurity which has occupied a central focus of the Nigerian economy. Unfortunately, crop production is fraught with many ecological challenges including climate change. This climate change which occurs as a result of the buildup of Green House Gases (GHGs) occasioned by industrialization, technological modeling and agriculture, exert significant effects on crop yield, water availability, ecosystem disequilibrium resulting in cases of drought, flood earthquake among others. For crop production to be scaled-up to meet the food requirement of the ever growing Nigerian population amidst these challenges, there is need to mitigate these adverse effects of climate change through the adoption of sustainable land management practices that can reduce the atmospheric stock of GHGs such as zero-tillage, appropriate use of fertilizers, avoidance of bush burning, graze land management, improved water management among others. Achieving great success in these areas requires that Nigerian government should be more proactive in their policies that hold promise for sustainable cultures in agricultural production as well as evolving global partnerships on ecological issues.

Exploring the potentials, barriers and option for support in the Nigeria renewable energy industry

“…This is consistent with Enete and Ezenwanji [22] assertion that Nigeria will felt the impacts of climate change more because of the continuous increase in the sea level along her 800-km long coast time, flooding and erosion disasters, land degradation and worsening desertification. Alawa, Asogwa and Ikelusi [23] stated further that the conventional farming practice among Nigerian farmers, which involves setting fire on agricultural lands and other residues contributes significantly to the CO2 emission and thus, increase climate change issues. Likewise, Agbola and Fayiga [24] claimed that emission of greenhouse gases from open burning, gas flaring, use of solid fossil fuel for cooking, vehicle emissions and deforestation are the major sources of climate change in Nigeria.…”

Effects of Climate Change Variability on Agricultural Productivity

“…The positive effects of climate change on agriculture are concerned with the CO2 concentration augment, crop growth period increases in higher latitudes and montane ecosystems; the negative effects include the increasing incidence of pests and diseases, and soil degradation owing to temperature change (Lal, 2005) [21]. According to Alawa et al [22], the worldwide redistribution of disease vectors, that is, the animals, insects, microorganisms and plants that transmit diseases which are already upon Nigeria, could increase due to climate change. Crop yields in Africa, western Asia and Middle East could reduce by 15-35%, and 25-35% respectively, due to increase in average global temperatures of just two to four degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels [23].…”

Effect of climate variation on the yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

“…The impacts of climate change are reducing the capacity of natural resources (biodiversity, soil and water) to sustain the food demand of the world's increasing population (Murtala and Abaje, 2018). Furthermore, Alawa et al (2014) stated that climate change occurs as a result of an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like CO 2 N 2 O and CH4. The authors explained that increased greenhouse gases are associated with economic activities particularly as related to energy, industry, transport and pattern of land use (agricultural production and deforestation).…”