Oladeji, J.O., Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Thomas, K.A., Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Ige, S.O.O., Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
In Nigeria, about 70% of the rural populace are fully engaged in agricultural production but they still find it difficult to meet household demands. This necessitated their involvement in mining activity as the household cooping strategy in Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo state where mineral exploration and exploitation is practiced. This results in change in people's occupation as many dwellers left farming for mining in order to generate income to meet household needs in the study area. The study thus investigated environmental and socio-economic activities of rural dwellers in Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting sample for the study while both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather data. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result of analysis shows that majority of the rural dwellers sampled were between the ages of 26-45 years, had formal education, married, Muslim, natives and residing in the study area from birth for more than 10 years. Majority (81.8%) of respondents benefit from sources of mining employment as hired laborer; 87.2% from carpentry; 80.9% from food hawking; 82.7% from subsistence (petty) business and 80.9% from shoe making. The results indicate that mining activities have created a multitude of income opportunities for the inhabitants, however, 83.6% perceived mining activities as unfavorable to farming activities, fishing (80%), 77.3%, hunting (77.3%), agricultural production and processing activities (66.3%) because of associated feasible land degradation in the area. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that age [r=-0.078: p>0.005] is negatively correlated to income generating activities before mining. T-test analysis for comparing the income generating activities engaged in by the rural dwellers before mining [t=0.00; p<0.005] and the income generating activities engaged in during mining [t=0.00; p<0.005] reveals that there is a significant difference between the income generating activity engaged in before mining, and the income generating activity engaged in during mining by the rural dwellers A pair-wise ranking of problems indicate that the most pressing problems in mining regions are degraded agricultural land, pollution of water sources from mining chemicals, acid rain, dust, mine pits, cracking and the collapse of buildings. Social and cultural impacts of mining have also had socio-cultural impacts; these include displacement and unemployment, child labour, accidents, and theft. It can be concluded that mining practices have already caused serious social and environmental impacts in the study area, therefore, extension messages should be channelled toward effect of mining and develop strategies to eliminate illegal mining and to promote other income-generating activities like agriculture production and agro-allied industry. © Research India Publications.
Dwellers; Environmental; Impact; Income generating activities; Socio-economics; Acid rain; Agriculture; Correlation methods; Crime; Economics; Environmental impact; Mine dust; Mineral exploration; Mining; Rural areas; Shoe manufacture; Economic and social effects; coping strategy; environmental impact; household income; local government; mining; off-farm employment; rural economy; rural population; socioeconomic impact; Nigeria; Oyo
