Effects of Extreme Flooding on Output of Selected Crops in Anambra State, Nigeria from 1990 to 2019

Abstract

The study has analyzed effects of extreme flooding on output of selected root and tuber crops in Anambra State, Nigeria for the period of 1990-2019using secondary data collected on cassava, yam and sweet potato output from the agricultural production survey of Anambra State Agricultural Development Programme and annual averages of rainfall from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency inAwka station. Data collected were analysed by using multivariate simple linear regression and trend analysisin linear trend analysis and line graph. Results respectively showed an increasing trend in output of cassava, yam and sweet potato within the researched period with a depression in output of cassava and yam in 2014 and 2015. The regression results showed that coefficients of determination (R2) values of yam output were (0.620), cassava output (0.560) and sweet potato (0.580), which implied that 63%, 56% and 58% changed in output of roots and tuber crops accounted for rainfall within the research period. Specifically, rainfall (0.002) was positively related to yam output at (p<0.05). This implied excessive amount of rainfall resulting flooding, which influenced the output of production of yam. Rainfall (-0.015) and (-0.003) were negatively related to output of cassava and sweet potato at 5% probability level, which indicated extreme rainfall translating into flooding, which adversely affected the output of cassava and sweet potato in this area. The result of the tested hypothesis showed that extreme flooding had significant negative effects on output of roots and tuber crops in the researched area. Based on results, it was concluded that extreme flooding deleteriously affected output of root and tuber crops in Anambra state, Nigeria. Therefore, farmers were advised to change their crop production technologies including time of planting to suit changes in rainfall pattern in order to avert their adverse effects.