Households’ Constraints to Effective Adaptation to Drought among Rural Communities in Extreme Northern Region of Jigawa State

Abstract

Drought is the most problematic phenomenon affecting the socio-economic activities of most of the Jigawa state people especially the rural communities whom rainfed agriculture is the major source of their livelihood. Rainfall variability trigger frequent occurrence of the events. This study assessed households’ constraints against effective adaptation to drought among rural communities in Jigawa state. Daily rainfall data for the period of 35 years (1980-2014) was obtained from Jigawa State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (JARDA) and Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) Offices, in Dutse and Kano respectively. Normalized Rainfall Index (NRI) was used to depict drought frequency and magnitude. Results show that the study area experienced fifteen drought episodes of different magnitudes representing about 42.86%. Both frequency and magnitude declined especially in the last decade coinciding with the periods of annual rainfall increase. Results obtained from the questionnaire administered shows households suffered various constraints against effective adaptation. Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) was used in assessing households’ constraints against effective adaptation. Respondents rated lack of fertilizer as the most problematic constraints against effective adaptation.