Authors:
M. Babagana
, Alkali U. U.
, Abubakar A.
, Gujja A. A.
, Umar I. And Mairo Y. |
Abstract:
The study was conducted in the months of July- September, 2017 to assess the socio economic
impacts of desertification on local communities in Yusufari Local area of Yobe State, Nigeria. A
total of 286 respondents comprising of 280 Local community dwellers and 6 officials of the
department of Agriculture and Forestry participated in the study. Descriptive survey method of
research was employed using both qualitative and quantitative data. Study data was collected
using closed ended self made questionnaire and structured Interview Guide. Statistical Package
for Social Sciences(SPSS) Version 6 was also used to analyse data on respondents
characteristics, socio economic impacts of desertification as well as respondents perception of
control measures using descriptive statistics. Study findings revealed that married men
constituted biggest portion of the respondents while illiterate crop and live stock farmers
dominated the occupation groupings. Dominant tribes happened to be Kanuri followed by Fulani
and Hausa. Social impacts of desertification were found to be numerous ranging from relocation
of houses or whole settlements, a town called Kaska relocated 2 times in less than 30 years,
drying up of sources of water, forced migrations as well as Sporadic conflicts and loss of
biodiversity and soil erosion. Economically, the impacts manifested in the farm of loss of soil
fertility, reduction in farmlands, grazing and fishing sites with resultant drop in crop yields and
number of animals and deaths. Transportation was also found to be seriously affected. Similarly,
the local people were found to be fully aware of the concept of desertification. and its impacts
but did not stop acts of deforestation nor engaged in any tangible form of reforestation activities.
Governments efforts towards combating the menace were not enough. Based on these findings
and others not mentioned here, it was recommended that local people should be well enlightened
on the impacts of desertification and governments programmes to curb the menace,
deforestation laws should be strictly adhered to, shelter beats and nursery plots should also be
established and maintained. |
