THE EFFECT OF DESERTIFICATION ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN KOKONA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Desertification is one of the major ecological problems facing the entire northern region. In Kokona Local Government Area, it has and still threatening the livelihood of the rural farmers. The focus of this study is on selected villages in five districts in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The main objectives of the study are to analyze the effect of desertification on the production capacity of peasant farmers in the area. Data for the study was collected through focused group discussion and interview with the key informants. This is largely due to low literate level of the majority of the respondents. Dependency theory of development was used as a theoretical framework stating that the high yield and prospect of farmers in agricultural productivity in Kokona Local Government Area is dependent on the favourable climatic conditions of the universe. The finding of the study reveals that desertification has entrenched poverty and induces rural-urban migration in the area because agricultural productivity is low and no longer lucrative to young individuals who wish to take agriculture as their main occupations. The researcher therefore recommended that government should create awareness and legislations that will stop indiscriminate cutting down of trees, planting of trees to support forestation of the area, and to check desert encroachment. Finally government should encourage policies of poverty alleviation to help the young people access necessary farm input and enlightenment on how to use the land for optimal yield and productivity.