IMPACTS OF FLOODING AND THE COPING STRATEGIES AMONG THE ARTISANAL FISHERS COMMUNITY IN KOTON KARFE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the impacts of flooding and the coping strategies among the artisanal fishers community in Koton Karfe Local Government area Kogi State, Nigeria. Multi stage random sampling technique was used to obtain data from the respondents. The first stage involved random sampling of three major fishing communities in the study area (Akpasu, Chikara North and Chikara), the next stage involved random selection of forty (40) artisanal fishers from each of the three fishing communities to obtain a total sample size of one hundred and twenty respondents (120), structured questionnaire were administered to the respondents. Data obtained were analyzed through frequency counts and percentages (descriptive) and Chi square (inferential) statistics. Majority (60.1%) of the respondents were male, 47% are between 26-30 years, 47.7% were single, 37.6% had Senior School Certificate, 37.6% have house hold size of 5-10 persons with 35.9% fishing experience of 6-10 years and 43.4% earned between #5,000 to #10,000 per week. Flood impacted household livelihood through reduction in income (49.1%). Significant relationship existed between gender, age, marital status, income and coping strategies among the artisanal fishers. The study concluded that artisanal fishers’ income reduced whenever there is flooding while migration to other fishing areas was the major coping strategy. The study recommended that the Government through the Extension agents and Fisheries Officers should provide platform for capacity building for the artisanal fishers on various coping strategies during flood.