Economic Study of Farmland Erosion Control Practices in Enugu State, Nigeria

Economic Study of Farmland Erosion Control Practices in Enugu State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT 

An economic analysis of farmland erosion control practices was conducted in Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria. The study aimed at identifying and describing the erosion control practices applied by the farmers, determining the net-benefit of erosion control practices.

Determining the socio-economic factors affecting the farmers’ use of a particular erosion control practice and identifying from the farmers perspective the possible causes and extent of cause of erosion on the farmland as well as making recommendations based on the findings.

An interview schedule and structured questionnaire were used to elicit primary data from 168 farmers, randomly selected from the three agricultural zones of the state. Analysis of the data were done using multinomial logit model, partial budget analysis Duncan’s Multiple range test and descriptive statistics.

Four erosion control practices were used by the farmers: Multiple cropping, as indicated by 41% of the respondents, Construction of Bonds, 20%, Ridging across the slope, 18% and Cover cropping, as indicated by 21% of the respondents.

The Partial budget analysis showed the net-benefits of each of these erosion control practice as N393, 953.88k for Multiple cropping, N26, 115.30k for Construction of Bonds, N33, 741.66k for Ridging Across the slope and N891.10k for Cover cropping. 7.36 (Multiple cropping),

1.59 (Construction of bonds), 1.14 (Ridging across the slope) and 1.10 (Cover cropping) were shown as the profitability index for the erosion control practices. Duncan’s comparison test showed that there was statistically significant difference in the means of net-benefits of erosion control practices at 5%.

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INTRODUCTION

A dramatic acceleration in population growth has taken place in sub-Saharan Africa since the 1960s (World Bank, 2006).

The increasing demand to feed this growing population has lead to resource use intensification (Junge, Birte, Abaidoo. Chikoye ,D. Alabi ,T. and Stahrand Karl,(2006). and Non- adaptable land use practices which lead to soil degradation (Hudson, 1995).

In sub-Saharan Africa, soil degradation has already become the most critical environmental problem (Mbagwu,Lal, and Scott,(1984) Eswaran ,,Lal and Reich,( 2001). Soil erosion is one manifestation of soil degrading processes that results in reduced soil quality and productivity (Akamigbo, 2001, Morgan, 1995, Lal, 2001).

There is an urgent need to combat the accelerating trend of soil degradation, to maintain soil productivity and to contribute to the food security of current and future generations (UNEP, 1997). Ecological disasters rank high among factors which encourage inefficient utilization of resources in Nigeria and limit the country’s development potential.

They occur in various forms but typically include droughts, soil and wind erosion, flooding, oil pollution and bush fires. Soil erosion is one of the most important physical problems affecting our development in this part of the world today.

Apart from the fact that it constitutes a menace to the environment and its destruction of our infrastructures-high ways, big structures etc, it creates a major problem in our agricultural soils, thereby interfering seriously with the mass food production campaign.

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REFERENCES

Abarikwu, O.I. (1988) “Challenges of Erosion in Imo State” Paper Presented at the International Symposium on Erosion in Southern Nigeria, At Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Abu-Hamdeh (2003) “Effect of Weed control and tillage system on net-returns from bean and barley production in Jordan”. Canadian Biosystems Engineering, Vol. 45. P.4. Assessed 29/12/2009 from http://www.engr.usask.ca/societies/isue/protectedpapers/co233.pdf.
Ahmad,R., Atry,S. and Elham ,F.(2009). “Analysis of factors affecting adoption of sustainable soil conservation practices among Wheat Growers” World Applied Sciences Journal 6(5): 644-651. P.2 retrieved 25 / 2 / 2011 from htt://www.Idiosi.org/wasj/wasj6(5)/11pdf.
Ajero, C.K. (2006) “Population Characteristics and the Utilization of Medical Facilities in Enugu State” Unpublished Msc. Thesis, Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Akamigbo, F.O.R (1986) “Pedological and Pedogenetic Components of Soil Formation and Erosion” “Paper presented at a National Workshop on “Soil Erosion control, land clearing and soil testing techniques” at the CRDC, UNN. February.

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