Evaluation of the Effects of Climate Change on Rice Production in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyses the trend of climatic factors (rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature and humidity) in Niger state, Nigeria, as one of the major states contributing to the total rice output of the country. This study also describes the trend in rice production of Niger state and determined the factors affecting the output of rice in the state. Secondary data from 1981-2010 were used. The analytical tools used were descriptive analysis, unit root and co-integration. The result of the research reveals that there is variation in the trend of the climatic factors and also variation in rice output of Niger state. The finding also shows that humidity and minimum temperature are the climatic factors that affect the rice production of Niger state, such that 1% increase in humidity caused 17% reduction in rice production in Niger state while 1% increase in minimum temperature caused 52.3% increase in rice production, therefore, humidity has a negative effect and minimum temperature has a positive effect. Therefore, the study recommends that research should be done to find the means of reducing the effect of climate change which will in turn improve the agricultural sector of the economy and rice production specifically. Also, breeders should help to develop rice varieties that can survive and produce well in adverse climatic conditions.

Key words: Effects, Climate Change, Rice Production, Niger State, Nigeria.