An Impact Assessment of Flooding on Food Security among Rural Farmers in Dagiri Community, of Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This research Paper assessed the impact of flood on food security of rural farmers in Dagiri Community of Gagwalada Area Council of Abuja Nigeria. The sampling frame for the study consist of rural farmers in Dagiri community and sampling technique used was random sampling of 112 farmers household living along the River Usuma because they are most prone to flooding. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and confidence interval using 95% confidence level. The results showed that, in dagiri Community areas lying along the banks of River Usman where lots of farming activities takes place are most vulnerable to flood disaster. The continuous violation of land use planning, population explosion, and poor quality materials used in construction of buildings increases the towns’ vulnerability to flood hazard. The damages caused rural farmers in Dagiri Community by the flood is colossal, it includes destruction of farm houses, stored farm produce and household properties. Flood waters also wash away crops and farm land, leading to food insecurity. In reducing the vulnerability of Dagiri community to flood to make the community resilient and food secured there is need for the council to institute improved land use planning, removal of structures from river Usman flood plains and discourage farmers from farming and living close to the river. More measures include intensifying environmental education of residents especially in the areas of flood risk and co-opt the active participation of government agencies and the Community in a Community based flood risk management.