CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND IMPACTS

Climate change presents significant challenges to agricultural productivity in Northern Nigeria, a region heavily reliant on rain-fed farming systems. This study examines the impacts of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events on agricultural output, food security, and socio-economic stability in the region. A secondary research methodology was employed to review existing literature and reports, focusing on trends related to climate change and its effects on agricultural productivity. The findings highlight a marked increase in average temperatures, resulting in higher evaporation rates, while unpredictable rainfall patterns disrupt traditional planting and harvesting cycles, leading to reduced crop yields. Extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, are becoming more frequent and intense, with devastating effects on both crop and livestock production. Desertification and the loss of arable land further exacerbate the region’s vulnerability to these environmental challenges. The socio-economic impacts include heightened food insecurity, rural poverty, and escalating resource-based conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. The study recommends adaptive strategies such as the use of climate-resilient crop varieties, sustainable land management practices, and improved irrigation techniques to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture in Northern Nigeria. These strategies, alongside policy interventions, are essential to improve food security and promote long-term agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change