Analysis of Agro Forestry Farmers (Tree-Planting) in Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was carry out on Analysis of Agro Forestry Farmers (Tree-Planting) in Giwa Local Government area, Kaduna State, Nigeria..

The specific objectives were to describe socio-economic characteristics of agroforestry farmers in the study area, identify the types of trees that are commonly planted by the farmers and for what purpose,

describe the socio- economic and ecological benefits derived by the farmers through tree-planting as an agroforestry in the study area.

Data collection for the study was through the administration of questionnaires to one hundred and twenty (120) farmers selected which involved eight (8) villages purposively selected out of twenty villages within Giwa Local Government Area (L.G.A.).

The information obtained from the respondents include socio-economic data (age, sex, educational status, household size, farming experience, farm size membership of cooperative society and marital status), types of tree that are commonly planted by the farmers and for what purposes.

The socio- economic and ecological benefits derived by the farmers using agroforestry practice and the constraints militating against tree-planting as an agroforestry.

The age of respondents ranged from below 30 years to 60 years and above with a mean of 40 years, while the average household size consists of 13 people. About 97.5% mostly plant neems, while only 8.3% plant mahogamy.

The socio-economic and ecological benefits derived by farmers from the planted trees in order of priority include, firewood, shelter against wind, provision of shades, soil conservation, livestock feed, employment opportunities, erosion control as well as for recreation.

The major constraints militating against tree-planting as an agroforestry practice include unavailability of tree seedling (94.40%), watering problem (73.40%), lack of credit facilities (68.20%), insufficient capital (66.50%), poor sources of information (54.50%), high pest and disease infestation (52.30%) and fencing problem (12.50%).

In conclusion farmers need education and training in forestry/agroforestry practice. The farmers should be supplied with tree seedling.

Tree planting/agroforestry should be introduced at primary, secondary school and at  higher institutions of learning, political and religious leaders to initiate community tree planting as an agroforestry projects that could served as demonstration to farmers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE ………….. i
DECLARATION ……. ii
CERTIFICATION ……….. iii
DEDICATION ……….. iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……….v
ABSTRACT ………. vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS …………….. vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study……….1
1.2 Statement of Problem …..2
1.3 Objective of the Study ………….3
1.4 Justification of the Study ………3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The Concept of Agroforestry ……..4
2.2 Agroforestry Systems and Practices ………5
2.3 Classification of Agroforestry ……5
2.3.1 Agrosilvicultural System ……..5
2.3.2. Silvopastoral System ………7
2.3.3 Agrosilvopastoral System ….8
2.4 Tree Species for Agroforestry Practice ………8
2.5 The Prospect of Agroforestry Practice ……….9
2.6 The benefits of trees …………… 10
2.7 The Socio-Economic factors that affect the practice of agroforestry …… 12
2.8 Constraints to Agro-Forestry Practices…… 16
2.9 Theoretical Framework ………. 18
2.9.1 Theories of Social Change …………. 18
2.9.2 Modernization Theory ………….. 20

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Study Area ……. 22
3.2 Sampling Procedure and Sample Size …. 23
3.3 Method of Data Collection……….. 23
3.4 Analytical Technique ……. 24
3.5 Definition and Measurement of Variables ……… 25

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Socio-economic characteristic of Respondents …. 27
4.1.1: Age of the Respondents ………… 27
4.1.2 Sex of Respondents ……. 27
4.1.3: Level of Education of Respondents ……… 28
4.1.4 House Hold Size of the respondents .. 30
4.1.5 Farming Experience of the Respondents . 30
4.1.6 Farm size of the Respondents ……….. 30
4.1.7 Land Tenure System of the Respondent ……………. 31
4.1.8 Membership of cooperative participation of Respondent ….. 31
4.1.9 Marital Status of the Respondent ……. 32
4.2 Types of Trees that are commonly planted by the farmers and for what purposes in the study area 32
4.2.2 Purpose of Tree Planting……… 32
4.3 The socio-economic and ecological benefits derives by the farmers through tree planting. 33
4.4 The Constraints Militating against Tree Planting in the Study Area … 34
4.4: Distribution of respondents according to constraints militating against tree-planting ……. 35

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary ……. 36
5.2 Conclusion ……… 37
5.3 Recommendation ……… 37
REFERENCES …. 40
APPENDIX I …….45

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The increasing pressure on natural due to increased for food and wood for purposes has made it difficult for the life supporting systems such as vegetation to keep pace with these demands substantially the need for fuel wood, which is the only source of energy in the rural areas.

Consequently, trees are hewn down for fuel without , thus leading to exposure of land to erosional driving forces of wind and water. (Abalu, 1988).

However, this has lead to the introduction of Agroforestry/forestry component into some states Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) as early as 1975.

Agroforestry is seen as the potential to increase the overall yield from the land through the combination of forest trees with crops or with domestic animals or both, either in time or space, and yet prevent environmental degradation, while providing both food and forest productions and services.

Agroforestry is a system of land use where woody perennial (trees or shrubs) are deliberately inter planted with animal crops and at the same time animals are reared on the same piece of land with the aim of obtaining greater outputs.

Agroforestry enable the farm to remain productive throughout the entire year, resist plaques and infestations that monoculture cannot and minimize soil erosion (Young, 1998).

REFERENCES

Ablu, G.O.I (1988): Improve Agricultural Technologies for small Scale Nigerian farmers: proceedings of the National farming systems Research Network Workshop, Jos.
Abu, J.E. and Afeyodion, D. (2000).The Role of Extension in Agricultural Development. AGRICOM vol.l(i).P.10.
Adams, D.L. (2007): “forest” Microsoft student (DVD). Redmond, WA; Microsoft corporation, 2006.
Addejobi, A and Karmara P. (2002).”Determinants of Manure Use in Crop Production in Northern Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria” (www.google.com).
Adegbehin, J.O. and Omijeh J.E. (1993): Agroforestry diagnostic survey of some parts of Niger State of Nigeria Agroforestry system. 22 (1993): 1-15 Adegbehin, J.O. and Omijeh, J.E. (1994) A Survey of firewood consumption and alternative sources of domestic energy in Kaduna State of Nigeria Discovery and Innovation Vol. 6, No. 2, 1994: 166-175.
Adeyemo, T.O. (2003): Networking: a management strategy for sustainable community forestry, proceedings of the 29^th FAN conference on community forestry and stakeholders’ participation in sustainable development. Pp. 269-274.