Impact of Climate Change on Crop Nutrient Availability and Food Security

Abstract

The effect of climate change on the availability of nutrients in crops and food security was studied with quantitative research design. The study employed a convenience sampling technique to access the changes in temperature, rainfall pattern, soil fertility, soil nutrient availability, crop productivity and household food security from about 200 agricultural farmers who were selected for the study with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression analysis to establish the relationship between the climate change indicators, crop nutrient availability and food security. The reliability of the research instrument was measured using Cronbach's alpha method and the validity of the research instrument was determined by the results of the expert test. Farmers reported significant changes in both temperature and precipitation over the last decade and these changes were strongly and negatively related to soil fertility and nutrient availability of crops. Multiple regression analysis indicated that two out of five indicators of climate change (rising temperature and rainfall variability) were significant and negative predictors of crop nutrient availability, which was significant and positive predictor of crop productivity and household food security. The overall regression model accounted for a significant amount of variance in food security outcomes. The results show that climate change has significantly affected the household food security in addition to its impact on crop productivity, and the study ends with recommendations for soil and nutrient management practices, climate smart agricultural extension and future research.