EFFECT OF LAND DEGRADATION ON INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES OF FARMERS IN

Land degradation in south eastern part of Nigeria is becoming widespread because population pressure is increasing, fallow land are unavailable for agricultural activities and even marginal lands are being lost to developmental projects. The problem of land degradation emanated from increase soil erosion, vegetation degradation and hydrological changes leading to loss of land productivity necessitates this study. One hundred and eighty crop and livestock farmers were sampled from a list of 1800 obtained from seven villages randomly selected from Agricultural Development Programme Zones. Instrument used in data gathering was interview schedule. Majority of the respondents are literate and have multiple income generating activities. Crop farming, collection of forest products and goat rearing were the most negatively affected income generating activities. Sex, age, educational level and household size have significant relationship with farmer’s involvement in income generating activities. Significant differences exist in farmers’ income generating activities before and after land degradation. Indigenous practices adopted in controlling land degradation do not have significant relationship with farmers’ involvement in income generating activities. Government, non-governmental organizations and community leaders should intensify efforts at educating farmers on the need for use of environmentally friendly farming system