Effect of Climate Change on Crop Productivity and Prices in Benue State, Nigeria

The chapter is aimed at assessing the effect of climate change on crop productivity and prices in Benue State, Nigeria. Time series data on selected output of crops (maize, rice, sorghum, yam, millet, groundnut, beans, and cassava), area planted, price, and climate variables such as rainfall, temperature, and sea level were used. Due to differing periods in data availability, this study used the time period 1995-2009 for analysis, in order to maintain a common period for all the series. First, the trend of productivity, prices, and climate change was analyzed using visual plots and results indicate some level of variability in these series over time. Second, a three stage least square regression was used to simultaneously analyze the effect of climate change on productivity and prices. Results show that climate change had significant impact on the productivity of millet, sorghum, cassava, and groundnut while it had significant impact only on the price of maize. These findings have important implications for food security situation in Benue State, Nigeria.