EFFECTS OF HUMAN MANAGEMENT IN ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY AMONG CROP FARMERS IN IMO STATE

Several Nigerian communities had in recent times experienced an upsurge of groundwater flooding with devastating effects. The demand for land for development had not been without attendant problems caused by the flood and neglect of building and other related laws. The work identified main factors that cause groundwater flood and their effects thereof. Questionnaires were designed and administered on respondents from the research area, while a relative severity index established. It was found from the analysis of combined responses using the weighted means method that property values are adversely affected by flood. And that flood activities hinder appreciable land development. This paper recommends among other things the enforcement of building and other laws aimed at reducing the incidence and effect of flood and the use of modern digital GIS devices in flood forecasting. The climate change phenomenon with its associated increase in global temperature, precipitation and rise in sea levels has also ushered in an increased frequency of flooding in recent times. In the year 2012, many Nigerian cities suffered from the ravaging effects of flooding. This led to lose of lives, internal displacements, destruction of properties, disruption of socio-economic, cultural and religious activities; and splintering of family ties. The city of Nnewi in Anambra state, Nigeria featured among the vulnerable cities which are susceptible to flooding. This study set out to find out the causes of flooding in these cities with a view to recommending measures that will help ameliorate the situation. Direct observations and structured interview methods were used to acquire the needed primary data from residents of identified flood prone areas and in addition to secondary data obtained from official records of the State Ministry of Environment. The result revealed that although flooding gives the residents of Nnewi nightmares, especially during the rainy seasons; it had received only 15% of government intervention activities on environmental problems. There is gross inadequacy in the provision of drainage channels, coupled with poor designs, poor construction and blocked drainage channels. In addition, houses are built indiscriminately, while solid waste disposal are not properly managed. In view of the above discoveries, some of the recommendations which were postulated include the need to develop and implement proactive and holistic urban flooding control and management incasures which are rooted in Public participation.