Assessment of the Effects of Flooding on Agricultural Output in Anambra State

This study assesses the effects of flooding on agricultural output and farm household welfare in flood-prone communities in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Anambra State experiences recurrent flooding from the Niger River system, causing significant crop losses, farmland damage, and livestock mortality in farming communities along the river banks. As climate change increases flood frequency and severity, the agricultural economic impacts of flooding are expected to worsen. This study uses a post-flood survey design, collecting data from 210 farming households in Ogbaru, Anambra West, and Ayamelum local government areas following the 2022 major flood event. Agricultural output losses are quantified through farm record reconstruction and physical damage assessment. Household welfare impacts are measured using consumption expenditure changes, food security scores, and asset loss inventories. Regression analysis links flood exposure characteristics to output loss magnitudes. Findings reveal that the 2022 flood caused average crop output losses of 68 percent of seasonal production for affected farmers, with total economic losses averaging 285,000 naira per household. Maize, cassava, and vegetable crops sustained the highest losses. Households with early warning access and crop diversification show significantly lower proportional losses. The study concludes that flooding is a major agricultural productivity and welfare threat in Anambra State. It recommends flood-tolerant variety development, early warning systems, and flood insurance for riverine farming communities.

Keywords: flooding, agricultural output, Anambra State, flood losses, climate adaptation.