THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined how climate variability could impact Nigerian agricultural output. Specifically, the study determined how annual rainfall changes, changes in wind patterns, and temperature fluctuations have impacted agricultural output in Nigeria. The study used secondary data from 1995 to 2024 and sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Nigerian Meteorological database. The sourced data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses. Findings showed that annual rainfall changes, changes in wind patterns, and temperature fluctuations all positively and significantly impact agricultural output with probability values of 0.0000, 0.0190, and 0.0013, respectively. The study therefore recommended that the Nigerian government should make provision for water irrigation and also invest in artificial lakes and rivers to provide water for crops in the case of low rainfall.