COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LAND DEGRADATION AND ITS EFFECT ON RICE PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF AYAMELUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined land degradation and its effect on rice production. This was achieved by investigating the effect of land degradation on the total factor productivity of rice farmers in Omor, Ayamelum Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated for the study. A descriptive survey research design was employed in the study. The population for the study was delimited to all rice farmers who are members of the rice producers’ cooperative society in the Omor community in Ayamelum LGA, Anambra state with a sample size of hundred (100) rice farmers selected from the population using a multistage sampling technique after grouping the farmers in clusters in cooperatives and those attached to the government’s Agricultural programs with regards to their villages. The study relied on primary sources of data which were obtained through surveys from first-hand interactions and the application of questionnaires to rice farmers in the Omor community. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. The study revealed a significant effect of Tillage degradation and Bush burning degradation. Water degradation was not significant. Consequent to the findings, the study, therefore, recommends amongst others that Bush burning is a major factor that reduces the quality of the soil. Hence, bush burning on the farmland should be restricted by state and federal law and properly monitored to ensure compliance in the area.