Spotting Specific Agricultural Practices Impacting Desertification in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Agricultural practices are among anthropogenic factors impacting the desertification process. However, it is necessary to determine which of the practices that most affect the process. Eleven of the nineteen Nigeria’s northern states bear the characteristics of the Sudano-Sahelian region. One of them (Zamfara State) was randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was administered on 500 farmers out of which 497 of them responded. Data extracted were subjected to Pearson’s correlation and stepwise regression analyses. The Pearson’s correlation showed positive association between desertification and slash and burn, (r=0.074; p=0.05) and free-range farming (r = 0.103; p = 0.011 and negative association between desertification and organic manuring (r = -0.100; p = 0.013). The stepwise regression analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between desertification and free-range farming and organic manuring at p = 0.035 and p = 0.040 respectively. It was therefore concluded that slash and burn as well as free range farming were some of the agricultural practices employed in Zamfara State that most exacerbated desertification process in the region. Keywords: Desertification, Agricultural practices, Free range farming, Organic manuring. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-8-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2022