Estimation of productivity yield gap contributions of climate change variability in selected horticultural crops (fresh maize and okra) in Anambra State, Nigeria
1 Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
2 IFAD Assisted Value Chain Development Programme, Awka.
3 Department of Cooperative Economics and Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
4 Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University, Igbariam.
Research Article
International Journal of Science and Technology Research Archive, 2022, 03(01), 016–030.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijstra.2022.3.1.0057
Publication history:
Received on 24 May 2022; revised on 30 June 2022; accepted on 02 Jully 2022
Abstract:
Most horticultural crops are susceptible to climate extremes that affect vegetative growth and yield. Climate variability poses a great threat to food security and the sustainability of the agricultural sector in Nigeria. However, the study estimated the productivity yield gap contributions of climate variability among maize and okra farmers. Data was collected from a cross-section of 160 farmers. Statistical tools such as descriptive statistics, second-order quadratic and linear regression models and Chi-square were utilized to operationalize the study objectives. The study established that high temperature was the highest climate variability (okra - 80.0%, and maize - 78.7%); whereas fug was lowest with 38.3% (okra) and 30.4% (maize). Again, flood contributed to the highest (27.5% - okra, and 36.5% - maize) yield gap. All the climate variability cumulatively explained 6.49 ton/ha (maize) and 3.47 ton/ha (okra) yield gap. However, the farmers are producing 2.26 ton/ha (maize) and 1.70 ton/ha (okra) below their optimal level. For better management, the study revealed that sex, age, education, household size, and cooperative membership are responsible for okra farmers; while age, marital status, and farming experience are responsible for maize farmers’ managerial ability. The study, therefore, concludes that climate variability significantly reduced horticultural crop yield. Howbeit, the study recommends that farmers should be taught to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.
Keywords:
Yield Gap; Productivity; Climate Variability; Horticultural Crops; Anambra State
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