Impact Of Land Degradation On Farming Communities In Ughelli North Local Government Area Of Delta State

Abstract

The study was conducted to access the impact of land degradation on farming communities in Ughelli north Local Government Area of Delta state. Results of data analysis using descriptive statistics and multiple regression showed that land acquisition was largely through inheritance (51.5%) followed by lease (27.9%) and outright purchase (20.6%). A range of 1 -4 hectares of land belonged to 58.2% of the farmers, 11.4% owned above 6 hectares and 24.1% below 1 hectare. Low farm income was traced to land degradation activities of oil spillage, oil exploration, erosion devastation and construction works. Some farmers who practiced continous cropping had their income because they properly used fertilizers, lime and adopted anti-land degradation measures. It is recommended that farmers should adopt intensive farming systems as found in mixed cropping, livestock and fishries using modern techniques. Government should prevail on oil companies to pay compensation for farm lands lost to oil spillage and exploration in addition to enforcing mopping up of the spills. Proper implementation of the land use Act of 1978 should serve as guide against indiscriminate use of land that lead to land degradation and low income.

JORIND Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 133-136