Implication of Climate Change and Food Security Status on Rural Farmers in Kura Kano State North–Western Nigeria

Abstract

This paper explores the food security context and the socio-economic consequences of climate change on rural farmers in Kura local government, Kano state, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the food security status of the rural farmers in the study area. Socio- economic consequences were ascertained. Agro forestry will serve as a win-win solution to the difficult decision between reforestation and agricultural land use; hence it increases the storage of carbon and may also increase agricultural productivity. Lottery sampling procedure was used in the selection of local government, communities and farmers for the research study. Structured questionnaire were used to obtain the data for the study. Food security index was used to ascertain the level food insecurity among the rural farmers in the communities. Descriptive statistics as a tool for analysis was used to analyze the data obtained. 98.5% of the respondent was married with dependants and low annual income of # 80,000 and below. Most farmers experienced loss of investment on farm lands, lives and income respectively. This study reveals that rural farmers suffered serious hardship they cannot produce what to feeds their families for at least six month in a year (food insecure). They also suffered ill health, such as malaria, water born diseases and skin infections among others. The study recommends that policy makers should encourage more recognition of food security in the state, support for adaptation activities in rural areas, enhance the role of civil societies and adaptation and mitigation.