Drought and Rural Livelihoods in the Semi-Arid Zones of Katsina State, Nigeria

This study examined the implications of drought on rural livelihoods in the drought-prone areas of Katsina State. The research employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Baure, Sandamu, Zango, and Mai’adua Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected, and questionnaires were administered to 215 respondents in the study LGAs' selected communities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including tables, bar charts, and pie charts. Findings revealed that males (87.4%) constituted the majority of drought victims, and the economically active population aged 30 to 44 (51.2%) was most exposed to drought risks. The periods (years) 2013, 2002, and 2006 were identified as the most severe drought years, which correspond with severe food insecurity and livelihood stress, particularly in Baure, Sandamu, Zango, and Mai’adua LGAs. The period (years) 2005 and 2012 were reported as the wettest during the study period, which reflects a general increase in the areas covered for crop production and a relative increase in crop output, particularly between 2005 and 2015. Agricultural data showed that millet and sorghum occupy the largest cultivated areas due to their drought tolerance. Most respondents observed a short, increasingly unpredictable rainy season, and drought adversely affected all livelihood activities, with farming (53.9%) the most affected, followed by trade (18.1%) and animal rearing (13.0%), resulting in weight loss and increased mortality among livestock. Findings suggest that drought significantly disrupts agricultural production, food security, and household income, underscoring the need for adaptive interventions such as multiple income-generating activities, irrigation, fodder banks, insurance schemes, and climate-smart agricultural practices to strengthen community resilience.