Assessing Water Scarcity on Food Security in Ebonyi State: A Study of Ikwo Local Government Area

This study examined the impact of water scarcity on food security in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. It explores how limited water availability affects food accessibility and agricultural production, and identifies coping strategies employed by smallholder farmers. Using a descriptive survey design, a sample of 400 respondents was selected through Taro Yamane’s formula. Data were collected via field surveys, interviews, and secondary sources. The study highlights seasonal patterns of water scarcity and its direct and indirect effects on farming activities, particularly the cultivation of rice, yam, maize, and vegetables. Findings show that during the dry season, rivers, wells, and ponds dry up, disrupting irrigation and livestock watering. Farmers' heavy reliance on erratic rainfall, combined with environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, and limited institutional support, significantly reduces food availability and nutritional quality. Women and children bear a disproportionate burden, often spending hours fetching water, which affects household welfare and productivity. The study also revealed policy and governance gaps, including limited access to irrigation technologies and underinvestment in water infrastructure. It recommended integrated solutions such as small-scale irrigation, community-based water harvesting, climate-smart agriculture, and gender-sensitive water policies. These measures are essential for enhancing adaptive capacity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable rural development in Ikwo and similar agro-ecological regions