Empirical Literature Review on the Menace of Floods on Food Security

Abstract

Flooding has become one of the most topical natural hazards affecting human livelihoods, especially in the agricultural sector. Its frequency and severity have become a matter of concern to many nations, especially sub-Saharan Africa. This is because the economies of these countries are agriculturally driven which is sensitive to climatic changes. The impact is felt more among subsistence farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture for their survival. Over the years, the devastating impact of floods occurrence has rendered many households’ food insecure with limited coping mechanisms to rely on. Among the households most affected by this phenomenon is smallholder’s farmer whose main livelihood is depended on the produce obtained from the farm. As a result of this, subsistence farmers' households are usually food insecure, especially during the lean season. This study explored the various empirical literature which investigates the menace of annual floods on smallholders' food security. The study draws on diverse literature to ascertain the destructive effects of the flood on food production using the northern part of Ghana as a reference point.