The effect of rainfall and temperature variations on food security in tubah sub-division (north west region, Cameroon)

Abstract

The effect of climate variation on food security has been a serious threat to the world at large especially in the 21st century. The changing climatic conditions affect the agricultural system of the country which is largely rain-fed, particularly in Tubah Sub-division where the agricultural calendar has become a victim of the unreliable patterns of rainfall leading to a reduction in agricultural output. This has pushed many farmers to resort to using fertilizers, which often change the taste of most staple food in the study area and affect not only feeding habits of Tubah people but their food security as well. Besides, climate variation has equally brought about seasonal hikes in food prices making some food stuffs less affordable. The ongoing sociopolitical crisis and the high rate of urbanization have adversely impacted the land use in Tubah Sub-division with agricultural land and farm labour reducing. This work sets out to investigate how the effect of climate variation has influenced food security in Tubah Sub-division. Three hypotheses were set to guide the study and both secondary and primary data were collected. Secondary data was gotten from published and unpublished documents consulted in libraries of different institutions and internet sources. Data for temperature and rainfall was gotten from RDARD and IRAD Bambui from 1965 to 2018.This was used to calculate rainfall variation index, Rainfall Abnormality Index and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to show the changing trend in rainfall pattern. Primary data was gotten through questionnaire administration, interviews, focus group discussions and observations. A total of 170 respondents from 6 villages in Tubah Sub-division responded effectively to the questionnaire. Some observed phenomena were captured using a digital camera. Inferential and non-inferential analyses were done that paved the way for the testing of hypotheses, drawing up of meaningful conclusions and suggestions. The results of the data collected, processed, analysed and interpreted revealed that response scores of 90% indicate awareness in changing climatic conditions, 60% affirmed unreliable rainfall for agriculture that has negatively affected crop yields and prices, and quantitative food security in Tubah Sub-division. Although analysis on quantitative variation in rainfall is still insignificant, IARA reveals a decline by a factor of R2=0.0429 while SPI shows more episode dryness in Tubah Sub-division. This indicates that the patterns of rainfall in the study area do not coincide with the agricultural calendar familiar to the farmers in Tubah Sub-division, and therefore, affecting farming activities and quantitative food security. The degree of food security in the area is dropping with time as just 37.1% of the respondents acknowledged to be food secured while 68.9% were food insecure as compared to the past 5 years. Findings also revealed that the use of fertilizers to boost yields might have affected soil quality or fertilizer application is poor as crop yields no longer respond positively to these inorganic fertilizers. Climate variation has brought about high food prices making food not affordable for all, particularly in the present context of socio-political crisis where food supply from rural areas is difficult and farmland is reducing due to urbanisation. In order to guarantee food security in Tubah Sub-division climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies need to be adopted. The impact of climate change on food production can be mitigated through agroforestry practices. Then, farmers should be provided with weather forecast information, climate resilient crops and crop specific information. The council should create council farms and warehouses where crops will be harvested and sold at affordable prices. Local food shows should be organized with the help of local authorities to sensitize people on cultural meals.