EFFECT OF FLOOD DISASTER ON THE FOOD SECURITY STATUS OF CASSAVA FARMERS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA: EMERGING ISSUES FOR THE POST 2015 UNIVERSAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

Abstract

The flood disaster which ravaged Kogi State in 2012, left in its trails colossal devastation, including destruction of farm houses, farmlands, crops, livestock and other personal effects with associated displacements, culminating in food shortages, human morbidity and mortality amongst others. This study therefore examined the food security status of the respondents; determined the effect of the flood disaster on the food security status of cassava farmers and identify the coping strategies used by the respondents to cushion the effect of the flood. The study used cross-sectional data covering 120 respondents, quasi-experimental design, food security index, double differencing estimates, Tobit model and t-test of significance to achieve the objectives of the study. The result revealed that food insecurity increased by 12.5% amongst the flood affected cassava farmers compared to a decrease of 21% within the control group. The double differencing estimate of -1.3 further confirmed that the flood disaster had a negative effect on the flood affected farmers. However, the t-test of significance established that any difference in the f food security status of the two populations at 5% probability level could only have been due to chance. The Tobit regression results further affirmed the absence of a causal link between the flood disaster and respondents’ food security status at 5% probability level, probably due to the short term nature of the incident, customary coping strategies adopted, prompt response by the governments and development partners. In spite of these efforts, but considering the magnitude of food insecurity established, there is the need to critically review the food security situation in the state and align the food security strategic plans and objectives to the national and global frameworks, particularly those bordering on Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger) and 13 (climate concerns) respectively with the view to achieving an enduring and sustainable food security for its over 3 million population within the context of the universal Sustainable Development Agenda.