Climate change and the imminent threat of food security in Kaduna State: A cause for serious concern.

By: Isiyaku Musa Kachia

Climate change and food security are two phenomena that refers to the increase warming of the planet due to changes in average global temperatures, primarily cause by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), deforestation and alterations in land use, agricultural and livestock practices, industrial operations, and pollution.

Meanwhile, food security refers to the accessibility, availability, utilization, and stability of food to meet the dietary requirements of individuals and communities. It stands as a crucial component of global health, economic advancement, and human well-being, with challenges like climate change and environmental degradation posing significant threats.

In situations where one or more components of food security are absent, it signifies the presence of food insecurity.

The repercussions of climate change can be felt across different geographical regions within the same growing season. One of the impacts linked to climate change is the increase in global temperatures, resulting in alterations in precipitation patterns, which can trigger droughts and floods. These phenomena have the potential to stress crops, damage infrastructure like roads and bridges, and ultimately impact crop yields and food availability.

For the sake of this discussion, drought refers to an extended period of unusually low rainfall, leading to water scarcity. Droughts can exert substantial effects on agriculture, including crop failures, reduced yields, and changes in growing seasons, as well as on water resources such as reduced river flows, lake levels, and groundwater replenishment, alongside economic repercussions on industries and tourism, culminating in financial losses.

Floods, on the other hand, signify an inundation of water that submerges land, resulting in damage to properties, infrastructure, and the environment. Floods can be instigated by heavy rainfall or storms, extreme weather events, or climate change. The consequences of floods encompass property destruction, displacement of individuals and communities, threats to human health and safety, disruption of vital services and infrastructure, and environmental impacts like water contamination and crops destruction.

Change in precipitation can also influence the timing of planting and harvesting, a critical issue currently experienced in Kaduna State and some areas of Northern Nigeria like Adamawa, Taraba and some parts of Sokoto.

In Kaduna State, notably in Local Government Areas (LGAs), like Kajuru, Chikun, Igabi and up northern part of the state, farmers are grappling with a dry spell characterized by a cessation of rainfall for two to three consecutive weeks. This occurrence can induce stress on crops and livestock, leading to reduced yields and growth rates, as well as disrupt planting and harvesting schedules, resulting in a mismatch with optimal growing conditions.

Recently, Kachia, a town situated in the southern part of the state, experienced a flashed flood that ravaged numerous farmlands and caused significant damage to crops worth millions of Naira. This catastrophic event unfolded amidst a backdrop where other regions in the state were grappling with severe rainfall shortage,  leading to substantial losses for farmers. While climate change is a global phenomenon, its effects are extensively felt at a local level.

In light of these circumstances, it is imperative for farmers to promptly embrace and implement strategies such as crop and land management techniques. By opting for improved seeds that are resistant to both droughts and floods, the possibilities of crops failure can be reduced, thereby safeguarding their livelihoods.

Simultaneously, the government must ensure the dissemination of weather advisories, as projected by NiMet and other relevant Agencies, in local languages through conventional and new media platforms well before the onset of every farming season.

Furthermore, the establishment of facilities for dry season agriculture such as dams across the three geopolitical zones of Kaduna is essential to reduce the over dependence on conventional rain-fed farming practices. Through these concerted efforts, the adverse impacts of climate change that are currently being witnessed can be significantly mitigated, by improving the resilience of farmers in the face of environmental challenges.