CLIMATE CHANGE-INDUCED AGRICULTURAL LOSSES, FOOD SCARCITY AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN THE FRESHWATER AND MANGROVE SWAMPS OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper investigated climate change-associated agricultural losses, food scarcity and adaptation This study investigates the climate change-induced agricultural losses, food scarcity and adaptation strategies in the freshwater and mangrove swamps of Delta State in the Niger Delta region. Data was collected from 1600 respondents using structured questionnaires, with 800 respondents equally selected from two local government areas per ecological zone. The study found that loss of farm land and inputs and crop failure mainly account for agricultural losses due to climate change, while flooding is primarily responsible for food losses due to climate change in both ecological zones. Purchase of food within and outside the community accounts for over 80% and 74% of the respondents' main sources of food during climate change incidence in the freshwater and mangrove swamps, respectively. The study also revealed that dietary management, change of occupation and livelihood diversification are the primary coping strategies against climate change-induced food shortage in the freshwater swamps, while dietary management, outmigration and relief materials make up the primary adaptation strategies in the mangrove swamps. The study recommends ecological zone-specific prioritization in tackling climate change-induced agricultural losses and food shortage, as well as provision of nutrition education for households in both ecological zones.