Climate Change, And How It Has Affected Food Production In Imo State, Nigeria

Sampson Uhuegbu January 15, 2024

Climate Change, And How It Has Affected Food Production In Imo State, Nigeria

Special Reports
May 5, 2025
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By Sampson Uhuegbu

Food is one of the the needs of man. Infact, it goes first before Shelter and clothing. Food is very necessary in human life. All the communities in Imo State, the Southeast part of Nigeria completely depend on farming, fishing, and forestry and others.

Imo State has Twenty Seven (27) council areas,and they are; Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Aboh Mbaise, Ehime Mbano, Isu, Onuimo, Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Oguta, Ohaji- Egbema, Mbaitoli, Nkwerre, Njaba, Nwangele, Okigwe, Obowo, Ihitte-Uboma, Isiala Mbano, Owerri North, Owerri Municipal, Owerri West, Ideato North, Ideato South, Ikeduru and Ngor- Okpala Local Government Areas.

In Nigeria, Imo State is the third smallest area but is fourteenth most populous with an estimated population of over 5.4 million as of 2022. The state is divided between the Niger Delta swamp forests in the far east and the forests. Other key geographical features are the state’s rivers and lakes with the Orashi and Otammiri rivers along with the Oguta Lake.

The Imo state economy is highly dependent on agricultural production, especially the production of palm oil which a majority of citizens rely on for cooking. A key minor industry is the extraction of crude oil and natural gas, especially in Imo’s north and west.

Imo State currently has the third highest Human Development Index out of all states in Nigeria, and consistently ranks as a top performing state in literacy, and educational attainment.

Currently, the story is changing. The once-predictable seasons have become erratic. Farmers complain of long dry spells, sudden floods, and disappearing crops.

Fishermen return with empty Nets, and Hunters find the Forests eerily silent—the animals are gone. Climate change, once a distant concern, has arrived at their Doorstep.

This features explores the real impact of Climate change on Biodiversity in my State, and the struggles of people, and the urgent solutions needed to reverse this damage.

In an interview with a farmer, Mr. James Anyanwu, a native of Umueleke Owerre, in the Ehime Mbano, he said, “Before, we used to have plenty of yam in in my barn, but now, nothing is happening. Also, a local fisherman, Mr. Ndudi Chukwu, said, that whenever he throws our nets, we catches nothing due to climate change and biodiversity. “The Rivers are drying up, and the fish are gone.”

Further on the farmlands, the situation is just as nothing to write home about. Farmers who once harvested large Tubers of Yam, Cassava, and Cocoyam now complain of poor yields. This is becoming disturbing.

“The Sun is hotter than before,” says Mrs. Chioma Agu, a Cassava farmer. “Even when we plant on time, the Rains refuse to come. And when they do, it’s too much, washing everything away.”

Indeed, Soil Erosion has become a major problem in Imo, especially in Areas like; Ihitte-Uboma, Orlu, Okigwe, and Orsu where heavy rainfall washes away fertile topsoil. These have made farming increasingly difficult, threatening the food security of the State.

DESTRUCTION OF WILD LIFE:
Forests of Imo State were once home to bush fowls , partridges, and Antelopes. Today, these animals had disappeared. Many have gone into extinction in the State, victims of deforestation and habitat destruction.

The increasing demand for firewood, timber, and farmland to build houses has led to uncontrolled tree cutting, reducing the region’s tree cover. Without trees to hold the soil together, erosion worsens. Without forests, wildlife loses its natural habitat, leading to a decline in Biodiversity.

RURAL VOICES: HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS DISRUPTING LIVES

Some people narrate heartbreaking stories of how their lives have changed due to Climate Change.

Adaugo, a vegetable seller, says, “Before, I would buy fresh vegetables from farmers to sell in the market. But now, many farmers complain that their Crops don’t survive the heat.”
Emeka, a local hunter, shares, “In the past, if I went to the forest, I would return with game. Now, the animals have disappeared.”
Oluoha, a palm wine tapper, says, “The palm trees are drying up, and the wine no longer flows as it used to. Something is wrong with our land.”
The frustration in their voices is clear. Climate change is no longer a scientific concept—it is a daily struggle for survival.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Despite these challenges, hope is not lost. There are several practical solutions that can help Imo adapt and recover from climate change.

SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES
Farmers need to adopt Climate-smart Agriculture—using drought-resistant crops and organic fertilizers to improve yields.
Encouraging Agroforestry (growing trees alongside crops) can help prevent soil erosion.
Local authorities must educate farmers on new farming techniques that conserve water and soil.

REFORESTATION AND EROSION CONTROL
Community-led tree-planting programs can help restore lost forests and protect the soil from erosion.
The Government must enforce strict Laws against Deforestation and illegal logging.
Constructing terraces and drainage systems can reduce the impact of heavy rains on farmlands.

WATER CONSERVATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Rainwater harvesting should be encouraged to provide water for irrigation and household use.
Transitioning from firewood to solar energy and biogas will help reduce deforestation.

STRENGTHENING CLIMATE AWARENESS
Climate education should be introduced in Schools to teach young people the importance of environmental conservation.
Traditional Rulers, Churches, and Community Leaders must be engaged in spreading awareness about sustainable practices.

Erosion control programs should be prioritized through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
Disaster response plans must be developed to help Communities recover from flooding.
Policies must be enforced to regulate sand mining, illegal logging, and Water Pollution.

At the Federal level, Agencies like NESREA, NEMA, and the Ecological Fund Office should intervene to Fund Climate adaptation Programs in Rural Areas.

However, in tackling this problem, several Global Organizations can provide funding, technical expertise, and policy support to tackle climate change.

UNDP & UNEP can support Climate Adaptation Projects.
The World Bank & African Development Bank can fund erosion control and assist with community-led conservation efforts.

A Call to Action
Climate change is real, and it is happening now in Imo State If urgent steps are not taken, the lands will continue to degrade, wildlife will vanish, and livelihoods will be destroyed. But there is still hope.

Through sustainable farming, reforestation, water conservation, and policy enforcement, Local Governments in Imo can overcome the climate crisis and protect its biodiversity for future generations.

The Imo State government, under the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, international agencies, NGOs must act now before it is too late.