The Impact of Deforestation on Agricultural Productivity in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State

Abstract

Deforestation as a process that exposes forested areas and makes them vulnerable to degradation and loss of values is being seriously undermined. Despite the enormous social, economic, agricultural and climatic functions that are crucial in the environment such that, if lost or reversed will be disastrous to human, environment and the earth in general, forests are being rapidly diminished. This study investigates the impact of deforestation on agricultural productivity in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State. During the study, a survey research was adopted where four research questions were developed to help achieving the study objectives. Data collection was through structured questionnaire which were distributed to 250 farmers randomly sampled. Data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentages. Findings from the study revealed farming, logging, construction, burning, etc. to be the major causes of deforestation in the area. On climate change and land degradation, the study exposes the impact of deforestation to include desertification, altered plants, animal, rainfall distribution pattern, water circle, soil composition and loss of fertility, increased pollution, soil erosion, solar radiation and temperatures. Increased awareness and provision of incentives for indigenes to protect forested areas, tree planting campaign, adoption of forest into ecosystem parks for revenue generation etc. were identified as mitigation strategies on impact of deforestation. Conclusively, deforestation was found to impact negatively on agricultural productivity and in that regard, introduction of environmental education at all levels of education for improved awareness on impact of deforestation on the environment and agriculture productivity among others was recommended.