Perceived effect of bush burning on households livelihood security in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was to determine the effect of bush burning on household’s livelihood security in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State. Multi-stage sample technique was used to select 130 respondents in the study area. Data was collected through the use of interview scheduled with the aid of well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis. The study revealed that the agricultural activity was the major occupation of the respondents in the study area. Also, the level of livelihood security was low with more than half (53.8%) felt the negative effect of bush burning ranging from destruction of wildlife, pollution of environment, destruction of soil texture, respiratory infection and lastly destruction of agricultural products. However, significant relationship existed between livelihood activities and livelihood security. (r =-0.318, p ≤ 0.000). This study therefore recommends that the dwellers should be educated by extension agents on safer cultivation strategies and appropriate farming methods to be used instead of bush burning.

Keywords: Bushing burn, Livelihood and Livelihood Security