The Statistical Based Approach to Flood Impact by Farmers in Rivers State

The study assessed the vulnerable groups and impact of flooding on the rural farmers and the different adaptive measures taken to reduce the impact.

Aims: To examine the Statistical approach to Vulnerability by Farmers to the impact of flooding in Rivers State.

Study Design: Cross sectional survey design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Okirika, Obio Akpor, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Ahoada West and Bonny Local government area all in Rivers state, between December 2016 and September 2017.

Methodology: The survey method was employed whilst 399 copies of questionnaire were used to elicit information from 399 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was employed to choose the six communities affected by flooding .Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was employed to test the hypothesis.

Results: The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between knowledge of flooding and adaptation strategies of the farmers; also the rural female farmers are the most vulnerable groups affected by the impact of flooding. The major underlying cause of flooding was found to be farming in flood prone areas. On the adaptation measures, the study showed that majority of the respondents perceived that building of critical infrastructures have been a crucial measure in checkmating the impacts of flood; haphazard construction of houses along flood plains to be major factor militating against the efficient management of flooding in the respective communities.

Conclusion: It was concluded that cluster groups should be organized so as to sensitize the people on the impact of flooding and possible adaptation measures.