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Effects Of Rice Production Systems On Perceived Soil Degradation In Ekiti State, Nigeria
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Significance of the study
The
need to understand the dynamics of soil degradation in terms of extent
and severity cannot be overemphasized. Knowledge about the dynamics of
soil degradation is important in the sustainable use and management of
soil resource. Soil resource is essentially non-renewable. Therefore,
avoidance of soil loss by improved management and conservation of the
natural resources through sustainable use of land resources is important
in combating low agricultural production, food insecurity and its
associated negative effects on poverty levels and population drift
(Tekwa, Belel and Alhassan, 2010).
The challenge of African
agriculture is not only to enhance food production to meet the growing
needs of its expanding population, but also to maintain the productive
capacities of soils into the future. Although land use intensification
can increase food production in the ‗high potential‘ areas (Barbier,
1997) evidence also shows that the extension of agricultural activities
into marginal lands have tremendous negative effects on the quality of
soils (Abubakar,1995; Sherr and Yadav, 1996). Rehabilitation of degraded
lands must be comprehensive and in line with the principle of
sustainable development. A good way of tackling the menace of soil
degradation in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular, is to
provide adequate, accurate and relevant information on the forms, extent
and severity of soil degradation. This can be achieved by incorporating
farmers‘knowledge and perceptions of soil degradation phenomena into
science based methods (quantification and analysis) of soil degradation
assessment. This will provide a realistic and holistic means of
assessing soil degradation while taking full advantage of the farmers‘
experience and dynamic knowledge of their environment (Vigiak, Okoba,
Sterk, and Stroosnijder, 2005; Stringer and Reed, 2006).
Study hypothesis
The study hypothesis is:
HO: there is no significant relationship between soil degradation and rice production
H1 : there is a significant relationship between soil degradation and rice production
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The
study scope is limited to investigating the effects of rice production
systems on perceived soil degradation in Ekiti state, Nigeria.
Limitation faced by the research was limited time and financial
constraint
Organisation of study
The study is grouped into five
chapters. This chapter being the first gives an introduction to the
study. Chapter two gives a review of the related literature. Chapter
three presents the research methodology; chapter four presents the data
analysis as well as interpretation and discussion of the results.
Chapter five gives a summary of findings and recommendations.
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