Assessment of Traditional Watershed Management System in Southeast, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
This study generally assessed the traditional watershed management system in southeast, Nigeria. Specifically, it analysed the status of watersheds in southeast, Nigeria, described farm practices in the watersheds, identified stakeholders in the traditional watershed management system, their role effectiveness, examined traditional watershed management rules and regulations, ascertained economic/livelihood activities of watershed dwellers and determine factors militating against watershed management in the southeast.
Three rivers/watersheds (Asu, Mamu and Imo) were purposively selected which covered the five states in the southeast geopolitical zone. Three town communities were also purposively selected from each watershed based on their nearness to the watersheds.
Two villages/hamlets were selected from each community and 50% of heads of households was proportionately selected from the list compiled from the selected villages giving a total sample size of 412 respondents for study. Participant observation, key informant interview and interview of heads of households were used for data collection.
The status of vegetative cover was analysed by identifying the physical features existing around the watersheds and the activities currently going on around the watersheds. Geographical positioning system (GPS) was used to determine the approximate distances of watershed to farms and residential homes in order to highlight the effects of human settlements and activities on the status of the watersheds.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title – i
Certification – ii
Dedication – – iii
Acknowledgements – – iv
Table of contents – – – vi
List of tables – – – vii
List of figures – – ix
List of plates – – x
Abstract – – xi
Chapter One: Introduction
Background 1
Problem statement- – 5
Purpose of the study – 9
Significance of the study – 9
Chapter Two: Review of Literature
Water as a scarce resource/ challenges of combating water scarcity – 11
The status of watersheds in Nigeria – – 19
Watershed management systems – – 23
Stakeholders in watershed management – – 40
Economic/livelihood activities in the watersheds via sustainable livelihood approaches 46
Problems of watershed management – 52
Watershed management models – 59
Conceptual framework – 73
Chapter Three: Methodology
Study area – 76
Population and sampling procedure – 79
Data collection – 82
Measurement of variables – 84
Data analysis – 85
Chapter Four: Results and Discussion
Socio-economic characteristics of respondents – 86
Status of watersheds in southeast, Nigeria – 92
Activities currently going on around the watersheds – 100
Traditional watershed management system – – 105
Farm practices in the watersheds – – – 118
Economic/livelihood activities in the watersheds – 125
Factors militating against watershed management – 129
Implications of the study for watershed extension – 133
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
Summary – – 137
Conclusions – – 142
Recommendations – 144
References – – 146
Appendix – – 155
INTRODUCTION
Water is life. This simple statement according to Donkor (2003) embodies the critical role water plays to individuals, families, communities, nations and regions. Water has provided nourishment, an environment for healthy populations and the basis of agriculture and industry.
He further stated that history is replete with civilizations that have risen on the banks of ancient rivers such as the Tigris and Euphrates, the Nile, the Niger, the Zambezi and many more. According to Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) (2006), water is one of the most important of all natural resources and an essential resource for all life.
Growing populations, rapid urbanization and increasing industrial and agricultural production are all increasing competition for and pressure on this precious and finite resource. Similarly, Sherbinin (1997) stressed that water is vital for all living organisms and major ecosystems as well as for human health, food production and economic development.
Aquatic ecosystems support highly productive fisheries, plant communities, woodlands and agro-pastoral systems. These wetlands also, directly and indirectly, support large human populations. For the millions of people worldwide who depend on or benefit from wetland resources, providing water for the environment and for people is one and the same.
REFERENCES
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Agren, (2004). Rural livelihood diversity and its implications for pro-poor. Agricultural Research and Extension Network (agren), Newsletter, No. 50.
Ahmed, F. (2009). Seeds, knowledge and diversity in the hands of small-scale farmers in Honduras. Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA), 25, 1, 16-17.
Ajayi, A.R. (2008). The role expectation of agriculture in poverty alleviation in a democratic and deregulated economy. In J.U. Agbamu, (Ed.), Perspectives in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development. Owerri: Springfield Publishers Ltd, pp87-108
Akolade, G. O. & Issa, F. O. (2009). Influence of environmental factors on agricultural production in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State. Food Crisis in Nigeria and the Challenges for Agricultural Extension. Proceedings of the 14th Annual National Conference of the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria ( 21- 24 April). Pp 102-110.
StudentsandScholarship Team.
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