Effects of Seasonal Characteristics of Kolo Creek Flooding on Farm-Plot Sizes in Central Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Perennial flooding is a known environmental hazard in many parts of the Niger Delta. Concern about flooding increases when places of importance to man, such as farmlands and settlements, and food supply systems are affected. This study assessed the effect of Seasonal Characteristics of Kolo Creek flooding on farm-plot sizes and crop production during the flood and non – flood seasons. A direct contact survey methodology was employed to measure farm-plot sizes and their extent of inundation during flood and non – flood seasons, and 400 randomly selected farmers along the Kolo Creek, Central Niger Delta were interviewed with a semi – structured questionnaire. Results from the study showed a mean farm-plot size of 0.51±0.00 (Ha) during the non-flood period and 0.10±0.00 (Ha) during the flood period. The results obtained from the study also indicated that only 20.93% of the farm-plots available during the non – flood period was available for farming during the flood period; more than half of the farmlands of about 88.50% of the farmers was seasonally inundated by flood and only 1.75% of the farmers had less than half of the farmlands under the floodwaters. Although farmers adapted by owning many – but – small farm-plots, they cultivated only a few varieties of crops, most of which were not flood tolerant. The study concluded that Kolo Creek flooding greatly reduced farm-plot sizes and therefore recommended the planting of more flood-tolerant crops to maximize use of land and improve crop productivity in the area.

Keywords: Seasonal flooding, farm-plot sizes, Kolo Creek, Niger Delta