Effects of sand mining on peri-urban agriculture in Ife East and Ife Central Local Government Areas, Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

There is virtually no information on the effects of artisanal sand mining on peri-urban agriculture in Nigeria in general and Osun State in particular. This study assessed the effects of sand mining on peri-urban agriculture in Ife East and Ife Central Local Government Areas of Osun State during 2015-2019. In effect, the study sought to identify and explain the rate and extent of changes in land uses in the study area, evaluate the level of encroachment of sand mining activities into other land use classifications, and examine socioeconomic factors that determined parting of land for sand mining by landowners in the study area between 2015 and 2019. Data were generated from both primary and secondary sources. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect primary data from 60 landowners, 30 cultivators and 30 residents giving a total of 120 respondents using structured questionnaire. Mean ages of landowners, farmers and residents were 67.9 years, 39.6 years and 47.3 years respectively. Majority (68.3%) of landowners had no formal education, while majority (73.3%) and (90%) of farmers and residents had formal education. Majority (68.3%) of landowners were farmers while majority (66.7%) and (76.7%) of farmers and residents were employees of governments. Majority (93.3%) of landowners were males, 100% of farmers were males. Cultivated land area decreased from 48% to 23.2% (–24.8%), built-up area increased from 37.3% to 41.8% (4.5%) while sand-mined area substantially increased from 14.6% to 35% (20.4%). Parting of land for sand mining increased with increasing age, household size and primary occupation being farming while parting of land for sand mining decreased with higher level of education. It is therefore recommended that all levels of government in the country should embark on close monitoring of land use to prevent frequent occurrence of land and environmental degradation. Additionally, Land Use Act of 1978 should be reviewed by bringing all stakeholders together to deliberate on how to prevent multiple land ownership and conflicts.