CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Soil erosion is a widely known ecological issue in Nigeria. It has attracted the interest of professionals (geographers, cartographers, geomorphologists, chemists, engineers, and so on) that are interested in its studies (causes and impacts) and has been of great worry to affected communities that are interested in its solution (control and minimization). Soil erosion has been recognized as a severe environmental issue with a multiplicity of social and economic effects. It is a tragic form of environmental degradation whose impacts is multi- dimensional. According to Pidiwirmy (2010), previous erosion on a particular has an impact on the erodibility of that soil for a variety of factors: many exposed subsurface soils on eroded site have the tendency to be more erodible compared to the original soil, due to their poorer structure and lower organic matter. The lower nutrient degrees frequently connected with subsoil contribute to lower crop yield and typically poorer crop cover which in turn provides less crop protection for the soil. The effects of soil erosion extend beyond the elimination of important topsoil, crop emergence, growth and farm produce are directly affected through the loss of natural nutrient and applied fertilizers with the soil. Sediment can be deposited on down slope properties and can contribute to road damages (Pidiwirmy, 2010).
Land is just one of the fundamental resources in agricultural production where the availability help enhances farmers productivity (Babalola and Olayemi, 2013; Raufu and Adetunji, 2012). Agricultural intensification is a kind of technique for rural livelihood which assists farmers to increase in their agricultural production per unit of input for sustainability (Yang, Liu, Lun, Min, Zhang, and Li., 2018). According to Dessie, (2013) sustainable livelihood method can be defined in terms of the capability of an individual to improve its assets and abilities when faced with shocks and stresses over time. Poufoun (2016) suggest that livelihood strategies in rural areas of developing world have essential options to identifying natural resource management. One of the most pressing challenges of Nigerian agriculture in the new millennium is how it can meet the food need of an ever-bourgeoning population when faced with the myriads of social, cultural and economic issues that negates sustainable land management (Saheed and Isa, 2017). This Sustainable land management practices (SLMP) is the adoption of land use systems that, with ideal management practices, makes it possible for land users to maximize the economic and social benefits from the land while preserving or improving the ecological support functions of the land resources (Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), 2016). Sustainable intensification of agriculture is crucial in attaining global food security (United Nations, 2014: Onyeneke, 2016). Nevertheless, Sustainable development in agriculture in Nigeria has been intimidated by environmental degradation occurring from soil erosion menace (Onu, 2013).
In the south eastern and south southern parts of Nigeria especially in Itu Local Government Area where is the study for this study, nearly all the communities are affected by one form of erosion or the other. There are gully erosion sites spread across all the rural communities in the state. This condition has affected the livelihood of farmers in a variety of ways including loss of arable lands, loss of residential homes, and loss of income (Okorafor, Akinbile and Adeyemo, 2017). The economic cost of erosion is really challenging to quantify. However, it is certainly very large, substantial sums of money are spent every year repairing damages caused by erosion or reinforcing existing structures and land against erosion. Akinbile, Aminu and Kolade (2018) assert that disasters influence livelihood of rural people with its impacts on their lives and subsistence. Erosion control measures such as terracing calls for high labour and investment costs for smallholders (Chapagain and Manish, 2017). Farmers can use easy techniques of erosion manage which are cheaper and less laborious to establish and maintain. For example, cover crops can improve the soil structure thus decreasing the erodibility of the soil. Other simple erosion control measures include: strip cropping and mulching (Okorafor, Akinbile and Adeyemo, 2017). In spite of the awareness of these conventional methods and management activities of the local farmers to control erosion and protect the environment, they have continued to be greatly under studied, unexplored and ignored.
This study consequently focuses on addressing these missing links in Akwa Ibom State. To transfer knowledge, skills and management to farmers, it is required to generate desirable changes in the attitudes of farmers as first step; therefore, analyzing attitudes in connection with the principles and ideas of sustainable agriculture gives a standard of existing condition on which basic planning could be made to achieve desirable status (Saleh et.al, 2016). It is to this effect that this study seeks to examine erosion control practices among rural farmers in Itu local government area, Akwa Ibom, State.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Soil erosion is just one of one of the most striking features on the land surface of South Eastern and South Southern parts of Nigeria, particularly in Akwa Ibom State. A number of non-responsive human activities by both the Government and the inhabitants have culminated in the devastating soil erosion (gully erosion particularly) in this area. A few of these tasks consist of, excavation of red earth (laterite) and sand while sand/regolith mining, construction of roads without drainage channels, uncontrolled population growth and poor agricultural practices. Buildings are congested in addition to groundwater recharge areas. The geology of the area (Nanka Sandstone) is made up of weak, friable soils which are poorly consolidated.
Each gully occurrence is come with landslides and slumping, leaving at the end of each event inhabitants weeping and grieving for loss of agricultural lands, ancestral lands, homes and economic trees. The cumulative impact is that the affected inhabitants are left homeless and/or jobless. The risks posed by gaping and daunting large gullies to farmlands, settlements, roads and human are enormous. Many communities in Akwa Ibom State have been ravaged by soil erosion of various dimensions. Sheet erosion is common and it has led to the reduction of soil fertility. Rill erosion is likewise common in many communities. Nevertheless, in these locations they have graduated into gully erosion.
The occurrence of gully erosion is a typical phenomenon in Itu local government area and surrounding communities. The inhabitants of gully ravaged sites have suffered mishaps ranging from psychological trauma to loss of property and life. Observations reveal that gullies in these communities are allowed to advance without sufficient control efforts by Government, thus, the affected people watch helplessly while their farmland and houses are destroyed.
The major problem of soil erosion in our environment is mainly because of the careless removal of top soil and activities that tend to concentrate runoff. It is therefore necessarily as a result of high erodibleness of soils, but rather as a result of our unwillingness to help these soils sustain our development. It is shown that implementation of simple and affordable designs in our roads' layout, and various other related civil engineering works can significantly reduce soil erosion problems in the area.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study was to explore erosion control practices among rural farmers in Itu local government area, Akwa Ibom, State. The specific objectives therefore include:
i) To determine the perceived causes of erosion in the area
ii) To understand the economic benefits of different erosion control practices by the farmers
iii) To investigate the socioeconomic factors influencing the farmer’s use of a particular erosion control practice.
iv) To ascertain the challenges to farmers’ use of erosion control practices.
1.4 Research Questions
In line with the specific objective this study was guided by the following questions:
i) What are the perceived causes of erosion in the area?
ii) What are the economic benefits of different erosion control practices by the farmers?
iii) What are the socioeconomic factors influencing the farmer’s use of a particular erosion control practice?
iv) What are the challenges to farmers’ use of erosion control practices?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
In line with the specific objective, this study was guided by the following statements which were considered to be the research hypotheses:
i) There is a significant relationship between economic benefits and different erosion control practices by the farmers.
ii) There is a significant correlation between the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers and the type of erosion control practices used.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The study will provide information to farmers on the net benefits of farmland erosion control practices for increased crop productivity and food security. Measures aimed at controlling farmland erosion will to a large extent save soil fertility, economic trees and crops and farmland from being devastated. The knowledge of the economics of erosion control measures will guide the policy makers in quantifying the control practices for future planning.
On the other hand, information on the economic analysis of farm land erosion control practice will equip the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in formulating appropriate environmental related policies in order to ensure environmental sustainability. Achieving certain standards of erosion control, will provide information about the value given to land in the market to erosion control, what will help investment decision.
Finally, other researchers that are interested in searching for solutions of the devastating effect of erosion will be assisted with the information that will be provided in the study. It will invariably provide information on how best to increase the farm land value in other to consequently increase its productivity and alleviate poverty.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study is on erosion control practices among rural farmers in Itu local government area, Akwa Ibom, State. Therefore, only six communities that are majorly affected by this menace of erosion will be the main focus of this study.
