Asian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 5(4): 56-61, 2013 ISSN: 2041-3882; e-ISSN: 2041-3890 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2013 Submitted: June 23, 2012 Accepted: July 31, 2012 Published: July 25, 2013 Corresponding Author: P.O. Emaziye, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Nigeria 56 An Evaluation of Effect of Climate Change on Food Security of Rural Households in Cross River State, Nigeria P.O. Emaziye, R.N. Okoh and P.C. Ike Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Nigeria Abstract: The study focused on the linkage between climate change and food security of rural households in Cross River state. The specific objectives are to ascertain the level of food security of rural households and impacts of climate change factors on the food security of rural households. Cross River State is located within Latitude 05°13’ 26’’ North and longitude 08° 17’ 44’’ East with an estimated population of 2.888,966 persons. The state is a coastal area usually affected by climate events (flooding) coupled with existing oil spillage hazard. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select local government areas, communities and rural households for the study. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed using descriptive statistic, food security index and correlation matrix. The mean annual income of the rural farming households in Cross River state was N71, 895 ($412) revealing a low annual income with a large household size of 9 persons. The food security index in the State was found to be moderately food insecure with food security having statistically significant relationship with the climate change factors. The impact perceived by the rural households on climate events was severe. The percentage of losses of annual income was 67.07%. It is therefore recommended that Government and donor agencies should provide a short-term relief measures to alleviate the food insecurity situations in the state and entrench a policy of long term development of agriculture. The rural farming households should be encouraged to carry out climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in alleviating the food insecurity situation in the state. Keywords: Climate change, cross river state, food security, Nigeria rural household INTRODUCTION FAO’s vision of a world without hunger is one which most people are able by themselves, to obtain the food they need for an active and healthy life and where social safety nets ensure that those who lack resources will get enough to eat” (FAO, 2007f). The achievement of the vision is a big question in Cross River state due to climate change impacts. Climate change is a major threat to food security in many regions of the developing world, which are largely dependent on rainfed and labor-intensive agricultural production (Parry et al., 1999, 2004; IPCC, 2001a). Although the issue of food security is directly linked to climate variability and change (Winters, 1999; Reilly, 1995), it must be noted that climate is not the single determinant of yield, nor is the physical environment the only decisive factor in shaping food security (Parry et al., 2004). But climate change would severely compromise agricultural production and access to food (IPCC, 2001a). This applicable to the developing countries, so climate change study as it relate to food security must be taken seriously due to its negative impacts. This is in line with the finding of the United Nation (2005) which observed that growing populations and poor agricultural productivity have been the main reasons for food shortages in the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Food security is an essential element of overall well-being. Increasingly, in the last decade attention has been focused on means of eliminating food insecurity and hunger world-wide. The 1992, international conference on nutrition and the 1996 World Food Summit both emphasized the critical need to decrease food insecurity and hunger globally. Detailed understanding of food security globally is of greater significance in this study. Food security exists, according to the world food summit draft plan of action, when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious (and some would add culturally acceptable and adequate), food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life (World Food Summit, 1996a). In other words, food security depends on the availability, accessibility, adequacy and acceptability of food. The number of people without enough food to eat on a regular basis remains stubbornly high, at over 800