IMPACT OF POPULATION GROWTH ON AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN DERIVED SAVANNA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA
Main Article Content
Abstract
Increase in human population has accentuated pressure on land uses. Specifically, agricultural intensification and infrastructural development have influenced major changes in land use over many decades now. This study assessed the impact of population growth on agricultural land use in a typical derived savanna of southern Nigeria. The study specifically assessed the negative impact of population growth on agricultural land use and determined the availability of farm lands in the study area. A systematic sampling technique was adopted. The study selected four hundred (400) respondents as the sample size with an additional 5% to accommodate non-response and non-return of questionnaires. Thus, 420 questionnaires were administered while 409 were returned. Out of this, fully completed 400 copies were selected for the analysis. GIS was applied in the analysis of Land use change between 1998 and 2018 for three epochs, 1998, 2008, 2018 from available data in the Ministry of Lands. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result of the study indicated that agricultural land use decreased from 1998 to 2008 and 2018 in the order 66%<58.5%<47% respectively. While built up areas increase positively in the order 34%>42.5%>53%. This was due to excess demand for agricultural land as indicated by 77.75% response and demand for agricultural products (23.74% response). Hence, population influences land use and availability for agricultural production in the study area. The study recommended implementing a community development scheme and providing family planning facilities in Abuochiche, along with guidance on population control.
Metrics
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Adenle, A. A., Boillat, S., & Speranza, C. I. (2022). Key dimensions of land users’ perceptions of land degradation and sustainable land management in Niger State, Nigeria. Environmental Challenges, 8, 100544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100544
Alam, A., Biswas, S., & Satpati, L. (2023). Population Dynamics and Its Impact: A Historical Perspective. In: Alam, A., Rukhsana, Islam, N., Sarkar, B., Roy, R. (eds) Population, Sanitation and Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40128-2_1
Allen, A. L. (2000). Annual Editions: Environment: Ninth Edition, Dluice Dock, Guildford, Connecticut. Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.
Awake (1999): The 20th century: critical years of change. December 8,
Awake (2001): Can we grow enough food? September 22,
Awake (2001): Good Health for All: Is it possible? Pennsylvania. WatchTower Bible and Track Society (p. 31)
Awake (2001): Who will protect the web of life? November 22,
Awake (2003): Malnutrition: “The Salient Emergency”. February 22,
Awake (2003): Who will serve the RainForest? June 22,
Bongaarts, J. (2017). The effect of fertility decline on population growth. Population and Development Review, 43, 285–297. https://doi.org/10.1111/padr.12096
Boserup, Ester (2008) Woman’s role in economic development. Reprinted with new Introduction, Cromwell Press, UK
Mohanty, S. (2008). Population Growth and Changes in Land Use in India. IIPS Mumbai, ENVIS center, Vol. 4, No. 2-3,
Musie, W., & Gonfa, G. (2023). Fresh water resource, scarcity, water salinity challenges and possible remedies: A review. Heliyon, 9(8), e18685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18685
NPC, (2006), Population and Housing Census Of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2006 Census Priority Tables, Abuja, Nigeria
NEST (1991). Nigeria’s threatened environment: A national profile. Intec Printers Ltd, Ibadan, pp.124-131.
Oramah I. T. (2006). The Effects of Population Growth in Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences, 6: 1332-1337
Population Action International and Population Justice Project (2011). Population and the Environment: Where We’re Headed and What We Can Do. USA: Population Action International and Population Justice Project
Shabu, T., Fate, S., & Ukula, M. K. (2021). Impact of Urbanization on Agricultural Land in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, NASS Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 3(1), 1-8
Wang, X. (2022). Managing Land Carrying Capacity: Key to Achieving Sustainable Production Systems for Food Security. Land, 11(4), 484. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040484
Warren, D. M. (1995). Comments on an article by Arun Agrawal. Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor 4,(1)1, 13-23.
Wrachien, D. D., Schultz, B., & Goli, M. B. (2021). Impacts of population growth and climate change on food production and irrigation and drainage needs: A world-wide view*. Irrigation and Drainage, 70(5), 981-995. https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2597
Yaro, M. A. (2015). The Impact of Encroachment on the Distribution of Tree Species in Cross River National Park, Oban Division, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Protection (JEP), 6, 744-754.
Yaro, M. A. Itam, E. B. Obia, A.E. Ukorebi, U. A., & Ekeng, P. O. (2016). The Ecological Consequences of Conversion of Agricultural Lands into Housing Estates in the Subequatorial Regions of Nigeria: the Ikot Nkebre Episode in Calabar. International Journal Development and Sustainability, (IJDS) 5(1), 1-15. ISSN 2186-8662- wwwisdsnet.com/ijds
Yaro, M. A., Ukpali, O. Okon, A E., & Itam, E. B. (2014). Agriculture in the Urban Fringe: Analysis of Calabar and its Environs. Cross River State, Nigeria. American International Journal of Contemporary Research, (AIJCR).4, (9), 122-130.
Yaro, M. A., Ojikpong., B. E., & Eja, I. E. (2012). Assessment of Changing Pattern of Land Use in Calabar, Cross River State. CRUTECH Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology (JOSET). 1, (1), 122-126.
Yaro, M. A., Okon, A. E., & Ukpali, E. O. (2015). Effects of Environmental Degradation on Residence of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State-Nigeria. International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology, 4, (2), 488 – 500.
Yaro, M. A., & Ojikpong B.E. (2012). The Impact of Urban Growth on Agricultural land in Calabar-Nigeria. CRUTECH Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology (JOSET). 1, (2), 83-88.