Climate Variability and Seasonal Aspects of Palm Wine Production (Raphia Spp) in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The research work examined the relationship between climate variability and seasonalaspects ofpalm wine production (raphiaspp) in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area ofAkwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study was carried out to examined the effect of climate variables on raffia palm wine production seasonally in Ikot Ekpene. Primary source of data wasobtained through thedirect field measurement. The secondary sources of data include meteorological records obtained from Nigeria meteorological station, Uyofor 2018. The cross-sectional multiple regression was used to infer the relationship between climatic variables and seasonal aspects of palm wine production. The result revealed that about 263,000 litres of raffia palm wine was producedin 2018 from the field measurement. The impact of seasonal variation on raffia palm wine production revealed that dry season produced wine more than rainy season. The researcher concluded that the climatic variation has impactednegatively on the production of raffia palm wine in the study area leading to reduction in production of raffia palm wine.The researcher recommended that appropriate climate forecasting and early warning system should be made part and parcel of planning and development so as to increase the production of raffia palm wine in order to improve the local dry gin industry.