Population Pressure and Agricultural Productivity: A Case Study of Nonwa Tai; Rivers State
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The main purpose of this study is to investigate and identify the impact of population pressure and agricultural productivity. a case study of Nonwa Tai; Rivers state. Specifically, the study aims:
- To investigate the extent to which population pressure affected agricultural practice in Nonwa Tai?
- To examine theland pattern systems matched with population pressure
- To determine the impact of rural-urban migration on agricultural productivity
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literatures that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Conceptual framework
Concept Of Population
Anyanwu et al (1987) put forward that “Population in Economics refers to the number of people (human population) living in any defined area such as Lagos, Abuja, Aba, Network, Tammisaari” Generally, this concept is also applied to the members of the plant and animal kingdom, their composition, distribution as well as their ecological niche.
However, the study of human population covers the natural and social sciences, statistics, biology, medicine, geography sociology and economics, which are all referred to as demographical study of population. Sequel to Thomas Malthus first published essay (1798) view point on population, his exposition raided heavy criticism from his contemporaries of what they called his pessimistic outlook. But on the contrary, the aim of his writing was to refute the current idea that the conditions of life were gradually moving towards an earthly paradise.
However, certain conditions were prevailing in England at the time he propounded the theory, which influenced his thought. Firstly, population has begun to rise considerably which he speculated due to it was a new phenomenon. Secondly, wages were very low relative to the cost of living and prices of commodities and services were very high.
Therefore, there was a real distress amongst the low income earners looking at these incompatible conditions outfacing them. These values he has propounded to be a universal tendency for population. To this fact, his theory of population rests on the law of diminishing returns and as well stated that there is a constant tendency in all animated life to increase beyond the nourishment for it.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
This chapter deals with the research methods and was arranged under the following sub-headings:
Research Design
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
Population of the study
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
The population was made up of all the staff of the Agricultural department of Nonwa, Tai local government area. As at the time of this study, the staff strength of the department was six hundred and fifty people (650).
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
The findings have some clear implications for the agricultural sector in this locality. It would be essential to note the findings from the first, second and third research questions. It goes a long way to showing that population growth has a significant effect on the type of agricultural practices, pattern of land ownership, government`s ability to support farmers in any small way in order to help them produce more food (improved seedlings, mechanized farming, grants etc.) basic awareness especially to women on the implications of producing too many offspring (child education to women)
Conclusion
As the population of the world increases, food production should also increase to avoid hunger and starvation. This research work has immensely helped in determining the problems that face food production as population increases in raging amount. It has confirmed and also contradicted the research questions used in the cause of this research work. According to this study, it could be seen that the type of agricultural practice, land tenure systems, lack of available agricultural lands, higher paid jobs in the urban areas, capital intensive method of crop production, lack of government land act/decree implementation, grants and subsidies which has led to rural urban migration are the highest factors that affects agricultural production when population increases. For the fact that agricultural production in this area is still under-developed, there is a need to mechanized agricultural production. This can be done through spatial planning and collaborating with all stakeholders in the agricultural sector for an effective decision making.
The use of modern spatial tools like the Geographic information system (GIS) will be of great help in setting out parameters to which agricultural production and the growing population equates by locating the features and attributes for a sustainable food production (Demography). By doing so, many deteriorating factors discussed in this research work will be drastically reduced and hence, food production will be on the increase. Therefore, I personally categorize these main factors as the three (3) down syndrome of food scarcity (Adindu symbol, 2014)
Recommendation
Based on the findings, I hereby come out with the following recommendations:
- Land polices and its implementations should be amended in the country or new laws should be enacted that could integrate both traditional (i.e. communal and individual) land ownership and legal right of land ownership in the country.
- There should be a public enlightenment on the current trend in agricultural production (best agricultural practices/ mechanized farming).
- Government of the federation should encourage farmers by giving grants and subsidies (cash and improved seedlings).
- Ministry of agriculture and natural resources to device ways of educating farmers on the need for food security through mass media, Agricultural extension programs/workshops, internet etc.
- It is necessary to find out cheap and simple farm implements that can replace the hoes and cutlasses presently used in farming and should also be supplied to the farmers at a subsidized rate for effective and efficient agricultural production.
- The government of the federation should encourage research and development activities in the area of plant and animal production for effective yield in order to boast the agricultural industry in Nigeria.
- Government during the yearly budget should invest more in agriculture as it is important aspect of livelihood in order to carter for the food needs of the growing population in the country.
References
- A new part for world development, club of Rome, 2009-2012,http://www.clubofrome.org/?p=697
- Abia sate and empowerment strategy, 2005,http://www.ng.undp.org/documents/SEEDS/Abia_State.pdf
- Abia state government factsheet 2011,http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/2011/08/industries/ Abia state government of Nigeria.http://speakersoffice.gov.ng/newsroom.htm
- Adegbola, A.A., L.A Are., T.I Ashaye., M.F. Komolafe. Agricultural science for west African schools and colleges, University press Ibadan ( 1979)
- Agbai, O.E. (1988). Investigation into the practice of small scale farming in ohafia L.G.A Unpublished NCE project for a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Dept of Agriculture, Alvan ikeoku college of Education, Umuahia campus.
- Akim Ajibola etal, oct 2011, International Food Policy Research Institute
- Anyanwu A.C., B.O Anyanwu., V.A Anyanwu.,(1979). A textbook of Agriculture for school Limited, Nigeria. PP.116, 165.
- Baba J.M (1988), Population and Rural development., Theme sixteen,population and rural education monograph, NERDC., pp 17-31
