Title: EFFECT OF RAINFALL VARIABILITY ON THE YIELD OF RICE AND FARMERS' RESILIENCE TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE OF NIGERIA

Authors: Elisha Ikpe and Ugbede D. Omede

Publisher: The President, Society of Extension Education Gujarat

Keywords: rainfall; relationship; rice production; variability and yield

Volume: 39

Issue: 1

Year: June 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56572/gjoee.2025.39.1.0004

Abstract: This study examined the impact of rainfall variability on rice yield and farmers' resilience towards food security in selected Local Government Areas of Benue State, Nigeria. Historical monthly rainfall data were sourced from the Nigerian Meteorological Station's archives in Oshodi, Lagos. Rice yield data were collected from the Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency's (BNARDA) archives. The study utilized 42 years (1980-2022) of rainfall and rice yield data to characterize the rice yield response to rainfall patterns. Multistage sampling technique was used to select six local government areas. Seven hundred and eighty-three farmers were purposively sampled. Questionnaire, interview and focused group discussion were used to get information from the farmers. Trend line equations were used to show the trend of rainfall, while Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to determine the degree of relationship between rainfall and rice yield. The trend line equation revealed an increase in total annual rainfall (y =7.3207x + 1084.5). Similarly, the yield pattern of rice showed an increase in rice yield (y= 0.036x+2.2331). However, the correlation analysis indicated a weak negative correlation coefficient of -0.180, which was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.340). Although the correlation analysis did not show a significant relationship between rainfall and rice production, these findings corroborate previous research, which confirmed that rainfall does not entirely influence rice yield in Benue State. The increase in yields was attributed to the increased knowledge and adoption of viable adaptation strategies/improved production practices by farmers. Based on these findings, the study recommends the adoption of viable adaptation strategies for continuous rice production towards food security in the area. Specifically, farmers should be encouraged to adapt measures such as: improved seed varieties, use of organic or inorganic fertilizers, use of early maturing varieties and other improved production practices.