An Assessment of the Impact of Flooding on Food Scarcity and Marketing Activities, Implications for Farmers Education in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
Determine the flooding in nasarawa Eggon area, nasarawa state, Nigeria
Examine the impact of flooding on food scarcity in nasarawa Eggon area,nasarawa state, Nigeria.
Examine the impact of flooding on marketing activities of farmers in nasarawa Eggon, nasarawa state, Nigeria.
Identify farmers challenges with flooding in nasarawa Eggon, nasarawa state, Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Causes and effects of flooding
Flooding is one of the most common of all environmental hazards (Adewuyi and Olofin, 2014; Akukwe and Ogbodo, 2015). Flood is a natural phenomenon but human activities and interventions such as uncontrolled urbanization, impervious surfaces, blocked drainage facilities, improper use of flood plains, deforestation, coupled with increased population have increased the damages and losses caused by floods (Ologunorisa, 2004; Jeb and Aggarwal, 2008; Ogba and Utang, 2008; Balabanova and Vassilev, 2010; Ojigi et al., 2013; Akukwe and Ogbodo 2015). “Statistics have shown that floods in third-world countries usually cause many casualties and comparatively little damage, whereas floods in Europe and the USA cause enormous economic damage, but relatively small number of victims” (Klijn, 2009:5). However, it has not been established whether the increased adverse effects of floods in the last decades were caused by more intense and recurrent flooding, or by the increased vulnerability of flood plains, which are the preferred areas for economic development and settling (Klijn, 2009).
Flooding has been observed globally as one of nature’s damaging phenomena (Adeoye et al., 2009; Aderogba, 2012; Wright, 2011; Duru and Chibo, 2014). Globally, the incidence of flooding has increased due to rise in sea level mostly in the coastal cities as well as changes in annual and seasonal rainfall as a result of climate change (IPCC, 2007; Syaukat, 2011) which has been manifested in increased pest outbreaks, reduced crop yields, rampant soil erosion and water logging ( FAO, 2008b; Emaziye, et al., 2013).
Over the past century, the Central United States (CUS) has been beleaguered by a chain of large floods especially the incidences of 1993, 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2014 (Downton, Miller and Pielke; 2005; Xiao, Wan and Hewings, 2013). These flood events had taken a devastating societal consequences and economic toll on the CUS including decreased food production and displacement of communities/people, contributing to economic losses reaching billions of dollars (Downton et al., 2005; Xiao et al., 2013; Mallakpour and Villarini, 2015).
Yin and Li (2001) noted that floods had become more frequent in the middle reaches of Yangtze River because of human activities (destruction of vegetation, land reclamation and siltation, construction of levees) in the river basin which had increased soil erosion of the upper reaches of the River, reduced the river’s size and caused restricted flood discharge capacity.
Ninno et al. (2003) studied the floods in Bangladesh and they reported the floods to have affected food security of millions of households, and flooding, according to Muriadi and Wljaya (2013) has led to food insecurity in Indonesia. In West Bengal, heavy rainfall, melting snow, glacial outbursts, and dam break flows have been attributed as the main cause of inland flooding and the effects of flooding include; displacement of persons with associated poverty, loss of life and property, agricultural deficiency, disease outbreak, unemployment and starvation (Ismail and Mustaquim, 2013).
Many cities in Africa had been noted to face tremendous problems of severe flooding according to Douglas et al. (2008) which is caused by increased storm intensity and frequency related to climate change, and worsened by factors such as increased runoff from impermeable surfaces, blocked drainage systems, occupation of floodplains and inadequate waste management.
Furthermore, flooding in Nigeria has been due to natural (e.g. rainstorm/torrential or heavy rains, tidal waves and oceans storms usually along the coast), artificial (e.g. dam burst, burst water pipes, levees failure, silted up drainage, uncontrolled urbanisation) and topographic factors (Etuonovbe, 2011; Akukwe, 2014).
In various parts of Nigeria, flooding has killed people and forced thousands away from their homes; caused loss of life, animals and property; destroyed businesses, bridges, roads and other infrastructure; caused poverty through the degradation of agriculture land and disruption of services; polluted water resources and increased the risk of diseases (Jeb and Aggarwal, 2008; Ogba and Utang, 2008; Adeloye and Rustum, 2011; Etuonovbe, 2011; Olorunfemi, 2011), destroyed farm land and agricultural products resulting to poverty, hunger and starvation (Ejikeme et al., 2015) and according to Ajaero (2017), the 2012 flood in Nigeria affected the food security status of both female- and male-headed categories of households.
Chapter Three
Research methodology
Research Design
The research design adopted in this research work is the survey research design which involves the usage of self-designed questionnaire in the collection of data. Under the survey research design, primary data of this study will be collected from selected residents in Eggon,Nasarawa state, Nigeria in order to determine an assessment of the impact of flooding on food scarcity and marketing activities, implications for farmers education in nasarawa Eggon,Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The design was chosen because it enables the researcher to collect data without manipulation of any variables of interest in the study. The design also provides opportunity for equal chance of participation in the study for respondents.
Population of Study
The population of study is the census of all items or a subject that possess the characteristics or that have the knowledge of the phenomenon that is being studied (Asiaka, 1991). It also means the aggregate people from which the sample is to be drawn.
Population is sometimes referred to as the universe. The population of this research study will be Seventy-five (75) selected residents in Eggon,Nasarawa state, Nigeriae
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter is about the analysis and presentation of data collected from the field through questionnaire. The analysis of the data with particular question immediately followed by the presentation of findings.
As mentioned in chapter three, 63 questionnaires were administered and 50 were retrieved and necessary analysis was carried out on them and presented as follows:
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain An assessment of the impact of flooding on food scarcity and marketing activities, implications for farmers education in nasarawa Eggon,Nasarawa state, Nigeria. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of An assessment of the impact of flooding on food scarcity and marketing activities, implications for farmers education .
Summary
This study was on an assessment of the impact of flooding on food scarcity and marketing activities, implications for farmers education in nasarawa Eggon,Nasarawa state, Nigeria. Four objectives were raised which included: Determine the flooding in nasarawa Eggon area, nasarawa state, Nigeria, examine the impact of flooding on food scarcity in nasarawa Eggon area,nasarawa state, Nigeria, examine the impact of flooding on marketing activities of farmers in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa state, Nigeria and identify farmers challenges with flooding in nasarawa Eggon, nasarawa state, Nigeria. The total population for the study is 75 selected residents in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
In conclusion, flooding has a significant impact on food scarcity and marketing activities in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The assessment has shown that farmers in the area face various challenges due to flooding, such as crop loss, reduced yields, and limited access to markets. These challenges can result in food scarcity and lower incomes for farmers.
To mitigate these challenges, farmers in Nasarawa Eggon need to be educated on flood-resistant farming techniques, such as using flood-tolerant crops, proper land management practices, and effective irrigation methods. Additionally, farmers need to be educated on effective marketing strategies, such as value chain development and post-harvest handling techniques, to increase their market access and reduce losses due to spoilage.
It is crucial for the government and non-governmental organizations to support farmers through the provision of education, resources, and funding to implement these flood-resistant and marketing strategies. This will not only help to reduce food scarcity in the region but also improve the livelihoods of farmers and boost the local economy.
The assessment highlights the need for farmers’ education and support to mitigate the impact of flooding on food scarcity and marketing activities in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa state, Nigeria. The government and relevant stakeholders need to prioritize this issue to ensure sustainable food security and economic growth in the region.
Recommendation
Based on the assessment of the impact of flooding on food scarcity and marketing activities in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa state, Nigeria, the following recommendations are suggested:
Implement flood-resistant farming techniques: Farmers should be educated on effective flood-resistant farming techniques, such as crop diversification, soil conservation, and irrigation management, to reduce the impact of flooding on their crops.
Provide education on effective marketing strategies: Farmers should be educated on effective marketing strategies, such as value chain development, post-harvest handling, and market information systems, to increase their market access and reduce losses due to spoilage.
Develop infrastructure to support farmers: The government and relevant stakeholders should provide infrastructure to support farmers, such as access roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities, to improve their access to markets and reduce post-harvest losses.
Provide financial support: The government and relevant stakeholders should provide financial support to farmers, such as loans, grants, and subsidies, to enable them to invest in flood-resistant farming techniques and marketing strategies.
Encourage collaboration: Collaboration among farmers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector stakeholders can help to develop effective solutions to mitigate the impact of flooding on food scarcity and marketing activities in Nasarawa Eggon.
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