This study analyses the trend of climatic factors (rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature and humidity) in Niger state, Nigeria, as one of the major states contributing to the total rice output of the country. It also describes the trend in rice production of Niger state and determined the factors affecting the output of rice in the state. Secondary data from 1981-2010 were used. The analytical tools used were descriptive analysis, unit root and co-integration. The result of the research reveals that there is variation in the trend of the climatic factors and also variation in rice output of Niger state. The finding also shows that humidity and minimum temperature are the climatic factors that affect the rice production of Niger state, such that 1 per cent increase in humidity caused 17 per cent reduction in rice production in Niger state while 1 per cent increase in minimum temperature caused 52.3 per cent increase in rice production, therefore, humidity has a negative effect and minimum temperature has a positive effect. Therefore, the study recommends that research should be done to find the means of reducing the effect of climate change which will in turn improve the agricultural sector of the economy and rice production specifically. Also, breeders should help to develop rice varieties that can survive and produce well in adverse climatic conditions.

Publication date
Type of publication
Document
Objective
Adaptation
Collection
Eldis
Sectors
Agriculture and forestry
CTCN Keyword Matches
Niger
Rice cultivation
Nigeria