"AGRICULTURAL LAND CRISIS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE
"AGRICULTURAL LAND CRISIS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE
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Date
1993-06
Authors
OSAKWE, UKWUTENO SYLVESTER
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Abstract
Agriculture and land are quite inseparable
Land is an important resource and a factor
of production to the extent that without land there can
be no agricultural growth or development.
Land crisis is a phenomenon which in recent years
has brought about an unprecedented problem and hardship
to many inhabitants of Idah Local Government Area
(L.G.A.) and indeed Nigeria as a whole. The topic
"Agricultural Land Crisis in Nigeria: A Case Study of
Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State" is an
investigative research which seeks to identify and
describe the evolution and factors responsible for land
crisis in Idah L.G.A. and assess its effect on
agricultural land use and productivity in the area.
The tools of analysis used in this study were simple
descriptive statistics, capitalization techniques and
regression analysis to determine relationship between and
among variables.
A total sample of 150 respondents - farmers, leaders
and educated persons from Akpanya, Idah, Iyano, Odeke and
Uchuchu were interviewed with structured questionnaires
to obtain information. The courts were also visited with
copies of questionnaire to obtain information on their
role in settlement or otherwise of land dispute matters.
The information collected were analyzed using the tools
of analysis specified. The t-values and F-statistic
values are significant at 5 per cent level of
significance.
The study noted that land is being made artificially
scarce due to crisis over land which in some cases have
resulted in disputes, violent clashes, abandonment of
cultivable or agricultural land and destruction of lives
and property.
Factors identified in the study to be responsible
for land crisis include: (a) selfishness and greed (b)
craze for material wealth and pride and (c) civilization
and/or awareness.
Population factor has no empirical evidence to show
its effect on land use. There exists however,
speculative evidence and this has given rise to
speculation in land by the people.
Furthermore, nominal land rent has not been found to
be statistically significant. However, the economic land
rent has been found to be of statistical significance.
Also, the Land Use Act of 1978 seems to constitute a core
problem in the current agitation.
Given the scope and complexity of land and
agricultural development, one cannot attempt to cover the
whole field. The author has therefore focused on land as
a basis for agricultural development. It is hoped that
this study will provide the basis for policy that would
safeguard the interest of the people in the rural areas.
Also, the study will indicate areas where further
research would be needed for the transformation of
agriculture from its present poverty position or state to
a much more modernized agriculture which alone can move
the nation to an enviable position both in political and
economic sphere.
It is observed that self-sufficiency and self reliance
in food production is still the basis for
political and economic stability of a nation. This can
only be achieved when the utilization of land and its
resources can be maximized. Under land crisis, the
attainment of this goal may never materialize in any
society.
Description
A THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE MASTER OF
SCIENCE DEGREE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL
SOCIOLOGY, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE/INSTITUTE FOR
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
ZARIA
JUNE, 1993.
Keywords
"AGRICULTURAL,, LAND,, CRISIS,, NIGERIA:,, IDAH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KOGI STATE.