Effects of flood on farmers in peri-urban area of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

One of the commonest environmental hazards threatening food security now in Nigeria is flood. The study therefore investigated the effects of flood on farmers in peri – urban areas of Ibadan. Using a snow ball research method, 60 farmers were selected from the six local governments in the peri – urban areas of Ibadan and data was collected using structured questionnaire on their personal characteristics, agricultural enterprises they engaged in, extent of farm damage, their knowledge of weather forecasts and their awareness of agricultural insurance cover. Majority of the respondents were males (86.7%) between 51 -60 years of age (46.7%), married (83.3%) and had no formal education (73.3%). Overflown river (50.0%) ranked highest among causes of flooding in the study area, majority of the respondents (41.7%) lost between N250, 000 – N350, 000 to flooding. Only 6.7% of the respondents had knowledge of weather forecast and early warning information on flood. Majority of the respondents (76.7%) were not aware of Agricultural Insurance cover in the study area. The chi square analysis shows that there is no significant relationship between respondents’ personal characteristics and the effect on flooding. Extension agents should endeavour to disseminate information on weather forecast, send early warning on flooding and enlighten practising farmers on agricultural insurance scheme in Nigeria.

Key words: Flood, Peri –Urban, Agricultural Insurance, Early Warning Information, Disaster