Assessment of Agricultural Vulnerability to Flood in Ngaski, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The assessment of agricultural vulnerability to flood in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria was carried out. The study made use of ASTER data of 2017 with spatial resolution of 30m, topographical map at a scale of 1:50,000, monthly rainfall data for 35 covering the study area and soil map at a scale of 1:50,000. Thematic maps for soil, rainfall and elevation were produced converted to raster data in GIS environment. Each data set in a single map was given weight by pair-wise comparison; reclassification of each map was done based on the weights generated from the pair-wise comparison of each dataset. The results showed that the rainfall recorded in the study area ranges from 950mm to 1150mm and this is categorized between high and very high under the pair-wise comparison rating. The elevation is such that parts of the study area had high elevation that ranges between 226m and 255m and low elevation that ranged between 125m and 167m giving room to flooding. The soil types in the study area are such that encourage flooding coupled with high amount of rainfall on one hand and the high and low elevations experience across the study area. For the farmers to sustain agricultural activities as a result of flooding, they practiced mixed farming, shifting cultivation, terrace farming, fallow and arable farming. The above farming systems were practiced by the farmers to alternate, avoid or take advantage of the floods. In conclusion, the study recommends the use of more resistant seedlings and crops to flooding, channelization of the river should be carried out by the government to reduce the level of flooding across the study area among others.