EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BEE FARMING. A CRITICAL REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Purpose: Climate warming affects the phenology, local abundance and large‐scale distribution of bees. Despite this, there is still limited knowledge of how climate affect plant‐pollinator mutualisms and how changed availability of mutualistic partners influences the persistence of interacting species. This article reviews the evidence of climate warming effects on bee farming and discuss how their interactions may be affected by change in climate. Bees provide the majority of biotic pollination and are at risk from a multitude of factors; changes in land use, intensive agricultural practices, mono-cropping (growing a single crop year after year on the same land), and the use of pesticides have all contributed to large-scale losses, fragmentation and degradation of bee habitat. The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of effect of climate change on bee farming. Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps. Findings: The study found out Climate change is causing temperature shifts which are leaving bees unable to pollinate in time. Bees are severely vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change has caused flowers to emerge and bloom earlier. Changing temperatures have also reduced the size of their wild range by approximately five miles. Recommendations: The study recommends that the local community needs to be enlightened on the need to form self-help group. These will provide them a platform to access more incentives and be able to share more information in relation to honey yield and to put more emphasis on providing food and water to bees during dry season

THE EFFECT OF ADAPTATION PRACTICES TO CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION BY FARMING HOUSEHOLD. A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: Climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food quality. Projected increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, changes in extreme weather events, and reductions in water availability may all result in reduced agricultural productivity. Increases in the frequency and severity extreme weather events can also interrupt food delivery, and resulting spikes in food prices after extreme events are expected to be more frequent in the future. Increasing temperatures can contribute to spoilage and contamination. The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of Adaptation practices to climate change and its impact on agricultural production by farming household. Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps. Findings: The study found out the locals households prefer multiple adaptation strategies to counter the effects of climate variability and change. The current local adaptation strategies include crop, diversification, shifting planting dates, off farm jobs and diversifying from farm to non – farm activities. However majority of the respondents employ crop diversification as the main adaptation strategy. For the locals’ crop diversification does, to an extent, guarantees good harvests although there are years in which farmers report total crop losses Recommendations: The study recommends that policy efforts should be directed at enforcing adaptation measures of climate change in order to boost agricultural production

CLIMATIC VARIABILITY AND LIVELIHOOD VULNERABILITY IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Purpose: This paper focused on livelihood vulnerability induced by climatic variability amongst farming households in Kaduna state, Nigeria. Methodology: The research used a sample population of 400 using Taro Yamane formula which represents about 0.05% of the population of the three selected local government areas and it purposively targeted farming households heads (FHHH) in one of each of the three eco-climatic zones in the state. Kagarko, BirninGwari and Makarfi local government areas were based on their eco-climatic location and rurality to represent humid, sub-humid and dry sub humid zones of the state respectively. A multi stage sampling technique was further adopted in which farming districts and villages were selected for the administration of 400 structured questionnaires proportionately distributed proportionately to the three local government areas. The Department for International Development (DFID) sustainable livelihoods framework was adopted in the design of the structured questionnaires. Coefficient of Variation (CV %) was deployed to determine the variability of rainfall and temperature of the three eco-climatic zones of the past thirty six years (1981-2016) which was employed into the Micah Hahn’s Livelihood Vulnerability Index model.The results show that Kagarko (humid) had a CV% of 105.43 of rainfall, 9.06 CV% of maximum temperature and CV% of 17.63 in minimum temperature. BirninGwari (sub-humid) had a CV% of 119.64 in rainfall, CV% of 14.17 in maximum temperature and CV% of 15.92 in minimum temperature while Makarfi (dry sub-humid) had a CV% of 124.71 in rainfall, CV% of 9.72 in maximum temperature and 16.29 CV% in minimum temperature. The livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) of Kagarko was calculated to be 0.35, Makarfi and BirninGwari were calculated to be 0.36 respectively and vulnerability spider diagrams were used to capture and compare results. On a vulnerability scale of 0-1, the three eco-climatic zones were found to be very vulnerable to climatic variability. The paper has proved the applicability of Co-efficient of Variation (CV %) into the LVI model which is a departure from previous users who have consistently deployed Mean Standard Deviation into the model. Results: This study will serve as a spring board to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets on vulnerable communities in Kaduna state. It is discovered that farmers in Makarfi and BirninGwari, even though in different eco-climatic zones of sub-humid and dry sub humid zones respectively, share equal level of livelihood vulnerability index of 0.36 while Kagarko area which is in humid zone, is having 0.35. These indicated that all the areas are within the very vulnerable values on a vulnerability scale of 0-1. The vulnerability levels of the study area can be attributed to weak Natural, Financial and Physical capitals. Recommendations: The paper recommended Integrated Farmers’ Livelihoods Support Strategy (IFLISS) so as to build the resilience of farming households’ livelihood capitals and reduce vulnerability levels.

EFFECT OF SPACING ON GRAIN YIELD AND ABOVE GROUND BIOMASS OF COWPEA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of spacing on grain yield and above ground biomass of cowpea. Methodology: A randomized complete block design was used. Field experiments were conducted. The study was conducted at Agriculture demonstration farm (Dakabaricha) and Yayo’s farm(Nagayo) and a private farm Demo farm. There were 18 treatment combinations consisting of three water harvesting techniques and two intra-row spacing. Results:Tied ridges with cross bars at 2.5m interval with the spacing of 60 x 20cm (W3 /S1) and open ridges with a spacing of 60 x 20cm (W3/S1) recorded the highest grain yield of 1408 kg/ha and 1296 kg/ha respectively. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy:An assessment of adaptation of more cowpea genotypes at different environments across years is recommended. The investigation provided sufficiently evidence to continue with further studies.

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL IN GARBA TULLA SUBCOUNTY

Purpose: To assess the Impact of climate change on food and nutrition security at household level in Garbatulla sub-county. Methodology:The study was designed as a cross sectional survey. Findings: The analysis of rainfall and temperatures over the region of study indicates that there has been decreasing trend of yearly rainfall and increasing temperatures. Result also revealed that the area is highly dependent on food aid which is an indication of food insecurity in Garbatulla. The analysis of nutritional status in the region remains between poor and serious, requiring adequate attention which is an indication of deterioration in nutrition. The study also found out that the respondents were using arrange of coping mechanism which are at border on survival rather than adequacy. Further, the study findings indicated a number of barriers hindering the community from consuming more nutritious foods such as fish, eggs and tubers. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The widespread occurrence of food insecurity, the severity of the consequences and insufficient progress in reducing the numbers of the food insecure all point to the need for further urgent action. The findings of this study will come in handy by showing the extent to which climate change affects food security and nutrition. Hence, decision-makers at all levels, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and NGOs, will use the study findings design effective policies and programs. The findings will also contribute to the body of knowledge in the academia and may provide insights on food security gaps for further academic research