Dynamic relationship among CO₂ emission, agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the dynamic relationship among CO₂ emission (CE), agricultural productivity (AGP), and food security (FS) in Nigeria. The study used annual time series data spanning from 1961 to 2010. Results based on Augmented Dickey and Fuller and Phillip and Perron tests showed that the series are integrated of order one, I(1). Johansen cointegration test was employed to examine the long run relationship. Results show there is no long run relationship among the three variables. Evidence based on the VAR estimates and the impulse response functions shows that there is a negative and significant short run relationship between CO₂ and AGP and between CO₂ and FS. Also the variance decomposition analyses showed that over time, CE contributed about 23 and 22 percent to the variation in AGP and FS, respectively. Further, analysis based on Granger causality test indicated that there was a unidirectional causality from CE to AGP and also from CE to FS. Policies that will assist in the mitigation of CE including investment in research and development, cap and trade system, carbon tax policy, adoption of clean power plan, and other regulatory measures are recommended.

Keywords:

• CO₂ emission
• agricultural productivity
• food security
• dynamics

Public Interest Statement

The world is on a paradigm and Nigeria is not left behind on the burden of the vulgaries of carbon (IV) oxide (CO₂). CO₂ emission (CE) has been known as a noble killer. This is so because, damage from consumption of the toxic emissions by the surrounding vegetation may affect the quality and esthetic value of plants and reduces their economic value among others. CO₂ may worsen the living conditions for many who are already vulnerable, particularly in developing countries because of the lack of assets and adequate insurance coverage. To this end, this research was carried out to examine the dynamic relationship between climate change, food security (FP) and agricultural productivity (AGP) in Nigeria. Our findings show that CE has a negative effect on AGP and FS albeit in the short run. Hence the need to formulate and implement appropriate policies for reduction of CE cannot be overstressed.

Additional information

Funding

Funding. The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Prosper Ebruvwiyo Edoja

Prosper Ebruvwiyo Edoja holds MSc in Agricultural Economics from University of Agriculture, Makurdi in 2015. His special interest is in Resource and Environmental Economics. He is a Certified Project Director; member and associate of renowned institutions in Nigeria; presented papers in international conferences and received many awards.

Goodness C. Aye

Goodness C Aye obtained her PhD in Agricultural Economics from University of Pretoria. She is a senior lecturer; has presented papers in conferences in many continents; a reviewer and editor for high ranking international journals. Her research interests cover policy analysis, development economics, environmental and energy economics.

Orefi Abu

Orefi Abu holds a PhD degree in Agricultural Economics from University of Pretoria. South Africa. She is an associate professor and Head of Department-Agricultural Economics, University of Agriculture, Makurdi; has presented papers to many local and international conferences and her research interest spans the field of Agricultural Development and Policy.