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 Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

BENUE JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (BJSS)


Agroforestry as Agricultural Pathway to Sustainable Land Resource Management in Benue State, Nigeria



Abstract

This paper examines agroforestry as an agricultural imperative for easing land resource

degradation and also as a source of livelihood among farmers in Benue State. Using purposive random sampling to cover the three senatorial districts, 150 structured

questionnaires were administered 50, in each of Buruku, Logo and Oturkpo Local

Government Areas, which cut across the three senatorial districts of Benue State through

which the study generated primary data. The study similarly generated secondary data through

published journal sources and conference papers. The study used frequency distribution tables

and simple percentage for analysis of demographic data, while Pearson correlation was used

in testing the three null hypotheses, which features: i. Agroforestry and its relationship with

vegetation cover stability in Benue State, ii. Agroforestry and its relationship with biodiversity

conservation. iii. Agroforestry impact on farmers' livelihood in the study locality. The study

found that agroforestry has progressively improved vegetal cover and regenerated

biodiversity on the one hand and significantly accounted for a source of livelihoods among

rural communities of Benue state on the other. The study recommends the phenomenal

upgrading of the agricultural system through expanded scope of adoption and credit facilities

to farmers to boost their agroforestry engagements for maximum environmental and

socioeconomic benefits.



Key words: Agriculture, Agroforestry, Land, Sustainability and Livelihood

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