Effect of Climate Change on Rice Production in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study set out to assess the effect of climate change on rice production in Anambra State, Nigeria. A total sample of hundred (100) respondents was selected using multistage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. An interview schedule was used to collect data and percentage and mean statistic were used to analyze the data. The mean farming experience and farm size were 17.7 years and 1.63 hectares, respectively; and the major perceived causes of climate change were deforestation, bush burning, excessive use of agro-chemicals in rice production, burning of firewood and farm residues (rice straws & husks) and natural phenomena among others. The serious negative effects of climate change on rice production were reduction in crop yield and grain quality, destruction of farm land by flood, high incidence of weeds, pests and diseases, surge of infectious human diseases such as meningitis, malaria and cholera, decrease in soil fertility, more flood and droughts in rice fields.