Agricultural vulnerability to climate change in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Although climate change is global threat, developing countries have been identified as most vulnerable owing to their low adaptive capacities. In Nigeria, while the impacts of climate cut across diverse sectors, agriculture remains the most susceptible due to the predominance of rainfed agriculture. This paper examines agricultural vulnerability to climate change in eight selected rural settlements in Sokoto State, Nigeria adopting the integrated approach which combines environmental and socio-economic determinants. Monthly rainfall, raindays and temperatures (minimum and maximum) data for Sokoto (1951-2010) were sourced from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Lagos. The annual rainfall, total of raindays and mean temperature were computed and used for the trends analyses of the climatic variables while the annual drought intensities for Sokoto synoptic weather station were computed from the annual rainfall data. Data on the environmental and socio-economic determinants of agricultural vulnerability to climate change were collected from 234 selected farmers using structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the relationship between the agricultural vulnerability of the sampled farmers and the determinants. Stepwise regression was used to resolve the issue of multi-collinearity in the independent variables and consequently enhance the strength of the model. Results show that while there were downward trends of annual rainfall and raindays in Sokoto, annual mean temperatures show upward trend. Annual droughts were of slight and moderate intensities during the period under review. The results also revealed that unreliable rainfall, desertification, increasing temperatures, scarcity of pastures and inaccessibility to credit facilities accounted for 86% of the variation of agricultural vulnerability to climate change in the selected settlements in Sokoto State. The paper concludes that the determinants of agricultural vulnerability to climate change in the selected settlements in Sokoto State connote environmental and socio-economical stressors. The paper, therefore, recommends development of irrigation projects and planned grazing as well as provision of soft and accessible loan facilities to local farmers on a sustainable basis.Keywords: Climate change, drought, agriculture, vulnerabilit

Strategies for Agricultural Adaptation to Climate Change in Kogi State, Nigeria

The paper examined strategies for agricultural adaptation to climate change in eight selected rural settlements in Kogi State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the strategies for agricultural adaptation of 99 farmers using a systematic sampling technique. The adaptation strategies were weighted for comparison among the selected settlements while the overall evaluation of the variations of the adaptation strategies among the selected settlements was investigated using chi-square (χ2). The prevalence of the adaptation strategies were classified using simple percentages. The results revealed that the strategies for agricultural adaptation to climate change are unequally prevalent, giving rise to high, moderate and low categories. Overall, the strategies for agricultural adaptation to climate change vary significantly among the selected settlements (χ2 = 152.250, p < 0.05). It is concluded that the prevalence of the strategies for agricultural adaptation to climate change is mainly due to the uneven distribution of environmental and socio-economic resources. Therefore, efforts to boost the local farmers’ adaptation to climate change should of necessity identify prevailing adaptation strategies with a view to mainstreaming them into intervention programmes.Keywords: climate; agriculture; farmers; adaptation; strategie

Growing Season Rainfall Trends, Alterations and Drought Intensities in the Guinea Savanna Belt of Nigeria: Implications on Agriculture

This paper examined the growing season rainfall trends, alterations and drought intensities in the Guinea Savanna belt of Nigeria using monthly rainfall data of 1941-2010 from eight synoptic weather stations (Ilorin, Minna, Bida, Lokoja, Enugu, Makurdi, Jos and Kaduna). Simple linear regression and second order polynomial were used to investigate the rainfall trend of the synoptic weather stations. The rainfall data were partitioned into two periods (1941-1975 and 1976-2010). Simple percentage and t-test statistics were used to examine to monthly and growing season changes in rainfall while the drought intensities for the growing season were computed as percentage deviation below the mean (PDBM). The results revealed upward trends in Bida, Lokoja and Enugu during the 1941-2010 period with that of Lokoja being sharpest while Ilorin, Minna, Makurdi, Jos and Kaduna experienced downward trend with that of Jos being the sharpest. Rainfall in Minna, Lokoja, Enugu, Makurdi and Kaduna exhibited curvilinear attribute while Ilorin, Bida and Jos exhibit linear pattern. Only Makurdi and Jos revealed significant difference between the 1941-1975 and 1976-2010 periods. While Makurdi witnessed the highest percentage change in growing season rainfall, Bida experienced the lowest. Alterations of rainfall among the selected synoptic stations reveal mixed variations while the droughts were of slight and moderate intensities with the exception of Enugu which witnessed severe drought in 1966. The paper concludes that the change in growing season rainfall, especially in Makurdi and Jos, as well as the drought incidences could pose negative implications on Nigeria’s food security if measures such as irrigation, cultivation of drought resistant varieties as well as alignment of cropping schedules with unfolding climatic patterns are not adopted. Keywords: Growing season, rainfall, drought, Guinea Savanna, Nigeri

Growing season rainfall trends and drought intensities in the Sudano-Sahelian Region of Nigeria

The paper examined rainfall trends and drought intensities during the growing season (June- September) in the Sudano-Sahelian region of Nigeria using rainfall data for Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Potiskum, Nguru, Maiduguri (1951-2010) and Gusau (1953-2010). Linear trend lines and second order polynomial were used to examine the trends of rainfall at the synoptic weather stations. The growing season drought intensities were computed as percentage deviation from the mean rainfall. The results reveal downward trends of growing season rainfall in all the synoptic weather stations investigated in the study with the exception of Kano which showed positive. The drought intensities were mainly slight, moderate and severe and largely depict spatial and temporal variations. In view of the pivotal role of the Sudano-Sahelian region as the main source of the nation’s cereal and animal protein, it is recommended that the establishment of irrigation projects should be intensified and agricultural activities in the region should be aligned with prevailing climatic trends in order to realize the country’s quest for food security.Keywords: Rainfall, trends, drought intensities, Sudano-Sahelia

Planting Season’s Rainfall Trends and Droughts in the Forest Belt of Nigeria

The planting season for most food crops in the forest belt of Nigeria is mainly concentrated in themonths of March and April. This paper, therefore, examined the planting season’s rainfall trends anddroughts using five synoptic weather stations (Benin, Ondo, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar) inthe forest belt of Nigeria. The planting season’s rainfall and rain-days covering between 1941 and2012 were computed from the data for the months of March and April. The trends of the rainfall andrain-days were analyzed using simple linear regression, second order polynomial and correlation.The coefficient of variation was used to investigate rainfall and rain-days variability. Droughtintensities in the planting season were computed as percentage deviation from the mean. The results,among others, revealed declining trends of the planting season’s rainfall in Warri, Port Harcourt,and Calabar, with regression coefficients of -0.71, -1.94 and -0.31 respectively, while Ondo andBenin showed increasing trends with regression coefficients of 0.17 and 0.11respectively. Warri,Ondo, Port Harcourt and Calabar revealed decreasing trends of the planting season’s rain-days with-0.07, -0.09, -0.12 and -0.05 regression coefficients respectively while only Benin showed increasingtrends with regression coefficients of 0.02. Port Harcourt and Calabar witnessed the highest andlowest magnitudes of rainfall and rain-days variability. The planting season’s drought intensitiesvaried from slight to disastrous, but regardless of drought intensities, Port Harcourt was the worsthit while Ondo and Calabar were the least hit. The paper recommends irrigation during the plantingseason in the forest belt of Nigeria to reduce the incidences of poor germination and wilting. Droughttolerant crop varieties should be cultivated while rainfall prediction and extension services shouldbe intensified to enable local farmers align planting of food crops with prevailing rainfall trends

Rainfall variability and drought during the sowing season and mid-season of rice in the Sudano-Sahelian Region of Nigeria

This paper examines rainfall variability and change as well as drought intensities in the Sudano-Sahelian region of Nigeria with a focus on the sowing season (June - July) and mid-season (August - October) of the farming calendar of rice. Monthly rainfall and rain-days data for Sokoto, Gusau, Katsina, Kano, Potiskum, Nguru, Maiduguri and Yola for 65 years (1951-2015) were sourced from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Rainfall decreased in Katsina and Nguru at annual rates of 0.69mm and 1.12mm respectively while it increased in Sokoto, Gusau, Kano, Potiskum, Maiduguri and Yola at annual rates of 0.39mm, 0.34mm, 03.77mm, 0.18mm and 0.37mm respectively during the sowing season. Rainfall decreased at annual rates of 1.38mm, 1.96mm, 0.57mm, 0.84mm, 0.71mm and 1.54mm in Sokoto, Katsina, Potiskum, Nguru, Maiduguri and Yola respectively while it increased at 2.31mm and 3.70mm in Gusau and Kano respectively. Rainfall changed significantly in Nguru during the sowing season and Sokoto Katsina, Kano, and Yola during the mid-season. Rain-days declined annually at the rate of 0.062, 0.049, 0.058, 0.042, 0.001, 0.083 and 0.070 in Sokoto, Gusau, Katsina, Kano, Potiskum, Nguru and Maiduguri respectively while it increased in Yola at 0.038 during the sowing season. It decreased at annual rates of 0.119, 0.120, 0.079, 0.052, 0.016, 0.006 and 0.316 in Sokoto, Gusau, Katsina, Kano, Potiskum, Nguru and Maiduguri respectively while it increased in Yola at 0.001 during the mid-season. Rain-days changed significantly in Potiskum, Nguru and Maiduguri during the sowing season while it changed significantly in Sokoto, Gusau,, Potiskum and Maiduguri during the mid-season. Generally, droughts were more of slight and moderate intensities with Sokoto having the highest percentages of severe and disastrous categories. Timely weather forecasts and irrigation practice in relation with the different phases during rice farming calendar as well as cultivation of improved varieties are recommended.Keywords: Drought, Mid-season, Rainfall, Rice, Sowing season, Sudano-Sahelian region, Nigeri

Spatio-temporal variation of the physico-chemical properties of rainwater in Benin City, Nigeria

Urbanized landscapes are known to have relatively high atmospheric pollutants due to high concentration of anthropogenic activities. This paper therefore examines the spatial and temporal variations of the physico-chemical properties of rainwater at the core, intermediate and urban fringe of Benin City. Rainwater samples were collected at 2 locations each at the core (Ring Road and Forestry), intermediate (Airport Road and Upper Mission) and urban fringe (Ikpoba Hill and Ogba) in the months of March and July, 2016. The physico-chemical properties of the rainwater differed significantly at the core, intermediate and urban fringe between the months of March and July with t-statistics of 3.029, 3.737 and 2.764 (p < 0.05) respectively. The difference in rainwater properties among the core,  intermediate and urban fringe zones were insignificant in the months of March and July. With the exceptions of colour, turbidity, P and Fe in the month of March and P and Fe in the month of July, rainwater properties from the three locations, where WHO guidelines for drinking water is applicable, were within permissible limits. Water quality was excellent at the core, intermediate and urban in the month of July while it was excellent at the intermediate and urban fringe and good at the core in the month of March. Findings suggest that besides the role of rainfall amount in atmospheric cleansing, other factors such as wind profile and direction and atmospheric stagnation also play critical influence on rainwater quality.Keywords: Rainwater, water quality index, physico-chemical properties, Benin City, Nigeria On sait que les paysages urbanisés présentent des polluants  atmosphériques relativement élevés en raison de la concentration élevée d’activités anthropiques. Cet article examine donc les variations spatio-temporelles des propriétés physico-chimiques de l’eau de pluie à la périphérie centrale, intermédiaire et urbaine de Benin City. Des échantillons d’eau de pluie ont été collectés à deux endroits situés respectivement aux quartiers centraux (Route Périphérique et Forêt), intermédiaires (Route Aéroportuaire et Upper Mission) et urbains (Ikpoba Hill et Ogba) en mars et juillet 2016. Les propriétés physico-chimiques des eaux pluviales différaient significativement aux franges centrales, intermédiaires et urbaines entre les mois de mars et juillet avec des statistiques t de 3,029, 3,737 et 2,764 (p <0,05) respectivement. La différence de propriétés des eaux de pluie entre les zones centrales, intermédiaires et urbaines était insignifiante aux mois de mars et juillet. À l’exception de la couleur, de la turbidité, du P et du Fe au mois de mars et du P et du Fe au mois de juillet, les propriétés des eaux de pluie des trois sites, où les directives de l’OMS pour l’eau potable sont applicables, étaient dans les limites  permises. La qualité de l’eau était excellente au centre, intermédiaire et urbaine au mois de juillet, tandis qu’elle était excellente à la périphérie intermédiaire et urbaine et bonne au centre au mois de mars. Les résultats suggèrent qu’outre le rôle de la quantité de pluie dans le nettoyage atmosphérique, d’autres facteurs tels que le profil et la direction du vent et la stagnation atmosphérique ont également une influence déterminante sur la qualité de l’eau de pluie.Mots-clés: Eaux de pluie, indice de qualité de l’eau, propriétés physico-chimiques, Benin City, Nigéria

First report of Theileria annulata in Nigeria : findings from cattle ticks in Zamfara and Sokoto States

Background: Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a significant economic burden to cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. However, in the northern part of this country, where the largest livestock population resides, little is known about the contemporary diversity of ticks and TBPs. This area is particularly vulnerable to climate change, undergoing marked transformation of habitat and associated flora and fauna that is also likely to include ticks. This study aimed to document the occurrence of tick species and Apicomplexan TBPs in cattle from north-western Nigeria. Methods: In 2017, ticks were collected from cattle in Zamfara and Sokoto States and identified morphologically. Additionally, a subset of ticks was screened molecularly for the detection of apicomplexan DNA. Results: A total of 494 adult ticks were collected from 80 cattle in Zamfara and 65 cattle in Sokoto State. Nine tick species were encountered, among which the presence of one, Hyalomma turanicum, had not previously been recorded in Nigeria. Hyalomma rufipes was the most prevalent tick infesting cattle in Zamfara State (76%), while Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent in Sokoto State (44%), confirming the widespread transfer of this species from camels onto livestock and its adaptation to cattle in the region. Of 159 ticks screened, 2 out of 54 (3.7%) from Zamfara State and 29 out of 105 (27.6%) from Sokoto State harboured DNA of Theileria annulata, the agent of tropical theileriosis. Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of a broad diversity of tick species in cattle from north-western Nigeria, providing the first locality records for Zamfara State. The occurrence of H. turanicum indicates a distribution of this tick beyond northern Africa. This study provides the first report for T. annulata in Nigerian ticks. Given its enormous burden on livestock farming in north Africa and across Asia, further investigations are needed to better understand its epidemiology, vector transmission and potential clinical significance in cattle from northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahelian countries

Contexts of sustainable development risk in climate change and anthropogenic-induced bushfire in Nigeria

Globally, bushfire is increasingly being recognized as a critical threat to human survival. Situating climate change and man-caused bushfire risks within sustainable development is critical to engendering appropriate mitigation strategies. This paper therefore reviewed bushfire risks on Nigeria's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), institutional and policy frameworks for their reduction. A total of 64 materials which essentially fall within 7 years period (2017–2023), were sourced online from Google, ResearchGate and ScienceDirect repositories. Journal articles represented 71 % of the sourced materials which were analyzed based on sustainable development framework. Narrative approach was adopted in reporting the findings of the study. Findings reveal that climate change, especially increasing atmospheric temperature, recurring episodes of droughts, dry spells and seasonal alterations coupled with multiplicity of anthropogenic actions are intensifying bushfire risks. Although bushfire is ecological zone-ubiquitous in the country, its magnitude appears to be higher in the Rainforest and Guinea Savanna due to relative abundance of ignitable biomes. Broadly, its sustainable development risks in Nigeria encompass poverty (SDG 1), destruction of farms (SDG 2), threat to human health and wellbeing (SDG 3), gender inequality (SDG 5) water pollution (SDG 6) and destruction of biofuel resources (SDG 7). Other risks include threats to economic growth (SDG 8), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and peace (SDG 16) as well as being a factor in air pollution and GHGs emissions (SDG 13) and alteration of soil and loss of biodiversity (SDG 15). Considering the extensive number of goals at risk and that the impact of bushfire on an SDG is capable of upsetting other SDGs, we argue that it poses significant threats to Nigeria's realization of several SDGs. Increasing budgetary allocation to fire agencies, synergy among stakeholders, environment-friendly behaviour, enforcement of fire-related laws, establishment of rural communities-based fire watches, climate-friendly development strategies and fire-risks insurance schemes are recommended as workable measures that can be adopted by policymakers and other stakeholders toward a holistic tackling of bushfire-related sustainable development risks in Nigeria

Greenhouse gases emissions and their reduction strategies: Perspectives of Africa's largest economy

This paper reviewed GHGs emissions from key sectors in Nigeria as well as institutional and policy responses toward cutting their emissions and drawbacks to the nation...s clean energy drive. Findings reveal that amid increasing sectoral emission of GHGs, the country has made institutional response to climate change mitigation, particularly with the establishment of the Department of Climate Change in the Federal Ministry of Environment. The country has also made significant policy responses toward climate change mitigation through domestication of arrays of international agreements. However, the paper argues that the nation...s rapid population growth and increasing food insecurity will intensify agricultural activities and consequently exacerbate GHGs emissions. Similarly, growing dependence on fossil energy coupled with poor development of the country...s vast clean energy resources will continue to intensify emissions. The paper recommends overhauling of extension services to bridge the gap between scientific innovations and farmers to promote climate-friendly agricultural practices while measures that reduce intra-city and inter-city travels and their related CO2 emission should be adopted. The study also advocates enforcement of compliance to restriction on the years of imported pre-used vehicles within Nigerian roads and prioritization of development of the country...s vast clean energy resources in line with increasing global navigation from fossil energy. Overall, the paper provided insights into Nigeria...s sectoral GHGs emissions, institutional and policy responses toward their reduction which are relevant to policymakers and other stakeholders in identifying gains and areas of intervention toward strengthening the country and other emerging African economies as part of the global search for workable climate change mitigation alternatives pursuant to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 7 (Environmentally Sustainable and Climate Resilient Economies and Communities) of the African Union...s Agenda 2063