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Atedhor G.O.* and Odjugo P.A.O.

Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: godwin.atedhor@uniben.edu

ABSTRACT

This paper investigated climate change-associated agricultural losses, food scarcity and adaptation strategies in the freshwater and mangrove swamps of Delta State in the Niger Delta region. A total of 1600 respondents were selected comprising 800 respondents equally selected from two local government areas per ecological zone. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data for this study. Findings show that a combination of loss of farm land and inputs and crop failure mainly accounts 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 account for over 80% and 74% of the respondents main sources of food during climate change incidence in the freshwater and mangrove swamps respectively. Dietary management, change of occupation and livelihood diversification account for over 80% of the respondents coping strategies against climate change-induced food shortage in the freshwater swamps while dietary management, out migration and relief materials make up over 65% of the respondents adaptation strategies in the mangrove swamps. While the paper recommends ecological zone-specific prioritization in tackling climate change-induced agricultural losses and food shortage, there should be provision of nutrition education for households in both ecological zones.

Keywords: Climate Change, Agriculture, Food, Adaptation, Niger Delta

Cite this article as:


Atedhor G.O. and Odjugo P.A.O., 2022. Perspectives of Climate Change-induced Agricultural Losses and Food Shortage in the Swamp Forests of the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology, 6(2), pp. 493-505. https://doi.org/10.36263/nijest.2022.02.0372

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