Flood Impact on Food Production and Security Status of Some Selected Farming Households in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Approximately two-thirds of rural households in Nigeria rely primarily on crop and livestock production for their livelihoods. These households are highly susceptible to persistent food shortages driven by climate variability and inadequate food production for household consumption. The food security of smallholder farmers, particularly those residing in floodplain regions, faces escalating threats from natural disasters, given their dependence on agriculture for both subsistence and income. Examining how floods affect smallholder farmers’ food security is thus essential for informed planning and effective disaster mitigation. This study evaluates the food security status of rural farming households in selected communities within Jigawa State. It also investigates the determinants of food security and the agricultural challenges faced by respondents in achieving food sufficiency. Data were obtained from 344 randomly selected rural farmers across 23 communities utilising a semi-structured survey and analysed using a binary logit regression model. The findings demonstrate that variables such as gender, age, household size, educational attainment, farming experience, engagement in off-farm activities, income levels and flood exposure significantly impact the food security status of smallholder farmers. Notably, flooding was associated with increased risks of food shortages (59.9%) and poor harvests (28.8%). The study advocates for the immediate implementation of vocational training and skill development programs, given that many households lack participation in off-farm economic activities. Such interventions could mitigate overreliance on agriculture and reduce vulnerability to flood-related disruptions.