




































 
 

 

35 
© 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences 
Vol. 7, No. 1, 35-40, 2020 

ISSN(E) 2313-8173 / ISSN(P) 2518-0134 
DOI:10.20448/journal.506.2020.71.35.40 

© 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

  

 
 
 
Effects of Urban Encroachment on Rural Agricultural Land: A Case Study of Ibie-
Nafe Community of Edo State, Nigeria 

 
Jimoh, B.A.1 
Mustapha. D.2  
Bejide, O.I.3 
Ojeifo, D.O.4 

 
 

(Corresponding Author) 
 
1,2,4Department of Urban & Regional Planning, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria. 

 
3Department of Quantity Surveying & Geoformatics, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria. 

 
Abstract 

Urban expansion constitutes one of the key agents of land-use change with the impact felt at local, 
regional and global levels; such impact includes spatial growth on agricultural land. This study 
assesses the effects of urban encroachment on rural agricultural land in the Ibie-Nafe Community 
Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The methodology adopted for the study is empirical research in which 
primary and secondary data were used for the study. On the other hand, findings show that the 
spreading of urban areas on farmlands causes new farmland reclamation and accelerated 
deforestation in the surroundings. In addition, the displaced farmlands do not ensure food 
production because of both reclaiming farmlands on infertile lands and diversifying farming 
activities from grain production to market-oriented ones. The accelerated urbanization and 
farmland displacement are driven by profit-oriented development strategy and ineffective land use 
planning. Against this background, there is a need for an adequate understanding of the interplay 
between trends of urbanization and undermining agricultural land use within rural areas. 

 
Keywords: Encroachment, Agricultural land, Rural, Urban, Land-use, Farmland. 

 
Citation | Jimoh, B.A.; Mustapha. D.; Bejide, O.I.; Ojeifo, D.O. 
(2020). Effects of Urban Encroachment on Rural Agricultural Land: 
A Case Study of Ibie-Nafe Community of Edo State, Nigeria. Asian 
Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 7(1): 35-40. 
History:  
Received: 16 December 2019 
Revised: 21 January 2020 
Accepted: 25 January 2020 
Published: 6 April 2020 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher:  Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Acknowledgement: All authors contributed to the conception and design of 
the study. 
Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of 
interests. 
Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

 

Contents 

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 
2. Materials and Methods ................................................................................................................................................................... 36 
3. Results ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 38 
4. Discussion .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 
5. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 
References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 40 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

https://www.asianonlinejournals.com/index.php/AREES/article/view/1473
http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.20448/journal.506.2020.71.35.40&domain=pdf&date_stamp=2017-01-14
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/


Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2020, 7(1): 35-40 

36 
© 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

 

 

Contribution of this paper to the literature 
This study assesses the effects of urban encroachment on rural agricultural land in the Ibie-
Nafe Community Area of Edo State, Nigeria. 

 
1. Introduction 

The world is rapidly urbanizing, and it has witnessed a tremendous shift of its population from being 
predominantly rural to predominantly urban in the last two decades [1]. The world’s population is estimated to be 
7.01 billion and by the year 2030, more than 60% of this population was being living in urban areas especially in 
developing countries, consuming close to three-quarters of the world’s natural resources, and generating three 
quarters of its pollution and wastes [2, 3]. This growth will require unprecedented investment in new 
infrastructure and create serious challenges for political and social institutions. 

Urban Encroachment on agricultural lands has become a global phenomenon plaguing all countries of the 
world, rich or poor [4]. This phenomenon formed a challenge to most countries of the world, especially developing 
ones, because of the increasing in population at high rates, consequent in depletion of resources, especially 
agricultural lands around cities. The country with limited natural resources, agriculture is the primary resource in 
achieving food security; cultivation of agricultural land is the source of living for many families, like other 
developing countries, dramatically urban expansion in the last decades of the twentieth century increased as a 
result of natural increase of the population [5]. When the population increases, it leads to increase in the demand 
of lands for housing and human services. Thus, the agricultural lands started decreasing day by day, and the rapid 
cultural transition and population growth have transformed the traditional dependency between people and the 
environment in Nigeria, as a result of urbanization, with the absence of proper planning [6].  Presently, the fast 
urban growth in Nigeria is affecting approximately 400,000 hectares of vegetative cover every year Adesina [7]. 
Heimlich and Anderson [8] observed that urban growth encourages encroachment blueprint, which most of the 
time possess negative effects on the ecology of the region, particularly in vegetative, hydro-geomorphology and 
food insecurity [9]. Food security according to Adesina [7] exists when every human, whatever the time, possess 
both economic and physical access to adequate, secured and wholesome food to meet up the standard dietary 
requirements and choice of food they prefer for a vibrant and vigorous living’. The transformation of agricultural 
lands to other land uses is a threat to food security, for instance, in one of the Chilean city, about 1,734 hectares of 
wetlands and 1,417 hectares of agricultural land were transformed into residential areas between the years 1975 to 
2000 [10]. 

Rapid expansion of urban centre in Estako-West mostly in places like Auchi, Ibie Nafe, Aviele and environs  
pose great challenges such that evokes interests from ecologists, planners, civil engineers, sociologists, 
administrators and policy makers on how much expansion is taking place, the effects on agricultural land and 
possible solution. This study focuses on such effects on the encroachment of agricultural land and suggests some 
mitigation measures.  
 

2. Materials and Methods 
2.1. Research Design 

Data collection, analyse and interpretation are components of any study. This will assist in achieving best and 
consistency in the trend of events and points to be investigated. For the purpose of this research work, various 
techniques and procedures were being used to source relevant data that would revitalize the issue of infrastructure 
provision in the study area.  

 

2.1.1. Survey Methodology 
An in-depth study was being carried out in the study area to determine the rate of urban encroachment on 

agricultural land in the study area. This was achieved through direct interview and observation and by using 
structured questionnaire.  
 

2.1.2. Reconnaissance Survey 
A technically-based investigation was carried out in the study area to determine the area of coverage and the 

existing land use, physical condition of the place and its management mechanism. This was being done via 
observation; interview and a detailed questionnaire which was being administered so as to get the necessary 
information that would be required concerning the study area.  
 

2.2. Population 
Ibienafe is a village located in Estako West Local Government Area in Edo State, Nigeria, having a total land 

area of 554.222hectares [11]. The community consists of 12,311 persons as shown by the 2006 population census. 
Having a growth rate of 2.7%, a projection to 2019 showed the present population to be 17,408 persons. The study 
area is shown in Figure 1a-d, and the encroachment of agricultural land is showed in Figure 2e-h. 
 

2.3. Sample Size 
The population of the research covered the residents of the study area.  A sampling size is a subset of the 

population of the study selected for observation and analysis. A sample is a portion or specimen of larger group 
selected in such a way that attribute exhibited by smaller group are accepted as a representative of the whole 
group.  A total of 100 questionnaires was being administered, using a sample size of 0.6% of the total residents. The 
questionnaire was administered randomly across Ibie-nafe Community. The satellite imagery in Figure 1d indicates 
the data comparing the urban development and encroachment of agricultural in the study area. 
 



Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2020, 7(1): 35-40 

37 
© 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

 

 

 
Figure-1. Map of Nigeria showing Edo State (a), Map of Edo State showing Estako-West (b), Baseline map of Ibie-Nafe community (c); and 
satellite imagery showing the existing built up area of Ibie-Nafe community of Edo-State (d). 
Source: Ministry of Land & Survey, Benin City, 2017. 

 

Figure-2. Power line transmission on agricultural land at Ibie-Nafe community (e), Portion of rural agricultural land at Ibie-Nafe 
community (f), Building materials on site for construction on agricultural land at Ibie-Nafe (g), and Building construction ongoing on 
agricultural land at Ibie-Nafe. 
Source: Ministry of Land & Survey, Benin City, 2017. 

 

 



Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2020, 7(1): 35-40 

38 
© 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

 

 

2.4. Data Analysis 
The response rate for each item in the questionnaire and site observation schedule, and the overall percentage 

of return from the sample size was determined. The data obtained was being analyzed using Statistical Program for 
Social Sciences (SPSS). The analyzed data will finally be presented using descriptive methods for easy 
interpretation and enable comparisons and inference to be drawn. 
 

3. Results 
3.1. Demographic Responses 

The output of the administered questionnaire showed that 96 out of 100 retrieved questionnaires were 
analyzable. The result is sequentially presented according to the order in which they were organized based on the 
questionnaire administered. In Table 1 and Figure 3a show the total number of male respondents totaling 62 which 
represents 64.6% of interviewed people, whereas a total number of 34 female respondents which indicates  35.4% 
was also interviewed. Therefore, it is deduced that more men responded than women.    
 

Table-1.  Sex of respondents. 

Sex Respondents Percentage 

Male 62 64.6 
Female 34 35.4 
Total 96 100 

                                  Source: Field survey, 2019. 

 
Table-2. Ages of respondents 

Age range No of respondents Percentage (%) 

18-28 8 8.3 
29-28 18 18.3 

39-48 19 19.3 
49-58 32 33.3 

59-above 19 19.8 
Total 96 100.0 

Source: Field survey, 2019. 
 

Out of the total number of 8 respondents which represent 8.3% of the population are between 18-28years. 
While 18 respondents (18.8%) of the population are between 29-38years. 19 respondents (19.8%) of the population 
are between 39-48years. 32 respondents (33.3%) of the population, are between 49-58 and 19 respondents (19.8%) 
of the population are 59 years and above. Table 3 shows the marital status of the respondents used for this study. 
22 respondents, which represent 22.9% of the population, are Single, 53 respondents (55.2%) of the population, are 
married, 9 (9.4%) of the population are divorce, and 12 respondents (12.5%) of the population are widowed Figure 
2b. 
 

Table-3. Marital status of respondents. 

Status Number of respondents Percentage 

Single 22 22.9 
Married 53 55.2 
Divorce 9 9.4 
Widowed 12 12.5 
Total 96 100% 

        Source: Field survey, 2019. 
 

 
Figure-3a. Sex of the respondents. 

 
Figure-3b. respondents martial status. 

Source:  Output analysis, 2019.                                                                                                      Source: Output analysis, 2019 . 

 
The result in Table 4 shows the respondent’s position in the household used for this study. Forty seven (47) 

respondents (49%) of the population are Head, 23 respondents (23.9%) of the population are spouse, 12 respondents 
(12.5%) of the population are relative, 10 respondents (10.4%) of the population represents child and 4 respondents 
(4.2%) of the population are categories under others specify. Conversely, 9 respondents (9.4%) of the population are 
civil servants, 11 represent (11.5%) of the population are self-employed, 14 respondents (14.6%) of the population 
are unemployed, 19 respondents (19.7%) of the population are traders, 7 respondents (7.3%) of the population are 
retired, 24 respondents (25%) of the population are farmers, 5 respondents (5.2%) of the population are artisan and 
7 respondents (7.3%) of the population are students. 

 



Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2020, 7(1): 35-40 

39 
© 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

 

 

Table-4. Respondents position in the Household. 

Status Number of respondents Percentage 

Head  47 49 
Spouse  23 23.9 
Relative  12 12.5 
Child  10 10.4 
Others specify  4 4.2 
Total 96 100% 

 Source: Field survey, 2019. 
 

Table-5. Occupation of respondents. 

Status Number of respondents Percentage 

Civil Service  9 9.4 
Self Employed 11 11.5 
Unemployed  14 14.6 
Trading  19 19.7 
Retired  7 7.3 
Farming  24 25 
Artisan  5 5.2 
Student  7 7.3 
Total 96 100% 

Source: Field survey, 2019. 
 

 
Figure-4a. Respondents position in the household. 

      Source: Output analysis, 2019. 

 
Figure-4b. Occupation of respondents. 

                      Source: Output analysis, 2019. 

 
3.2. Causes of Encroachment of Agricultural Land 

The causes of agricultural land encroachment in the study were identified. The result in Table 6 showed that 
57 respondents (59.4%) indicated that migration is the major source of encroachment, while 21 (21.8%) and 18 
(18.8%) of the respondents showed that natural birthrate and urbanization could cause agricultural land 
encroachment. The result in Table 7 shows that current agricultural land use dynamics has the highest residential 
use as indicated by the respondent. A total number of 8 respondents (8.3%) represent the land use for farming only, 
while 42 respondents (44%) represent residential land use. Also, residential and mixed land use represent 29% of 28 
respondents, while 18 respondents (18.7%) indicated other land use activities. 
 

Table-6. Causes of encroachment on agricultural land. 

Causes of encroachment on agricultural land Number of respondents Percentage (%) 

Migration 57 59.4 
Natural Birth rate 21 21.8 
Urbanization 18 18.8 
Total 96 100 

    Source: Field survey, 2019. 

 
Table-7. Current agricultural land use dynamics. 

Current agricultural land use dynamics Number of respondents Percentage 

Farming Only 8 8.3 
Residential only 42 44 
Residential and Mixed use 28 29 
Others Specify 18 18.7 
Total 96 100% 

   Source: Field survey, 2019. 
 

3.3. Effects of Encroachment on Food Security and Land Acquisition 
The result in Table 8 shows the responses to the effects of encroachment on food security and land acquisition. 

A total number of 57 respondents which represent 59.3% of the population agreed that encroachment could cause 
food insecurity, whereas 18 (18.8%) of the population were of different opinion. Finally, 21 respondents (21.9%) 
were indifferent on the possible negative effects of encroachment on food security. However, the results in Table 9 
show the responses of the dwellers to the effect of encroachment on land acquisition. A total number of 63 



Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2020, 7(1): 35-40 

40 
© 2020 by the authors; licensee Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 

 

 

respondents from the 96 of the population indicated that encroachment has effect on land acquisition, whereas 12 
respondents (12.5%) of the population disagree on land acquisition and encroachment, and 21 (21.9%) of the 
population were indifferent. 

 

 Source: Field study, 2019. 

 

Table-9. Effects of encroachment on land acquisition. 

 Effect of encroachment on land acquisition No of respondents Percentage (%) 

Yes 63 65.6 

No 12 12.5 

May be 21 21.9 

Total 96 100.0 
Source: Field study, 2019. 

 
4. Discussion 

Ibie-Nafe Community of Etsako West Area, of Edo State, is experiencing many socio-economic and political 
changes that are impacting negatively on the ecological landscape. In the area of agricultural sector as assessed in 
this study, the following observations are noteworthy. The rate of urbanization is taking its toll on IbieNafe 
Community of Etsako West Area, of Edo State faster than envisaged by the Planning Authority and even the 
administrators. The urbanization growth rate of the area is increasing significantly from 2% annually between 
1991 to 2.7% annually between 2018 and 2019. Developmental activities are encroaching into the agricultural 
lands at an alarming rate annually. If of this growth rate continues, it implies that by the year 2030, agricultural 
land (arable land, farmable land and forest) would have further been lost to urban encroachment.  Erections of 
power line were also identified as a major agent of change in the area due to the large Industrialization activities 
within the area, which has led to loss Rural Agricultural in Ibie-Nafe Community. 
 

5. Conclusion 
It is evident from the above analysis that the population growth has changed the land use pattern of the city. 

Agricultural land is being gradually converted into built-up land like industrial, residential, commercial and other 
urban uses without any systematic development plan. Similarly, the household area has been converted into 
agricultural and built up area. These problems require immediate attention of the planners and administrators. The 
encroachment of the community leaves marked impact on the land use pattern, which has shown tilt towards built-
up areas, which is growing in an unplanned way along the main roads. The rate, at which agricultural land is being 
destroyed, needs serious thinking on part of planners and policy makers. The population growth of the community 
and encroachment has changed internal morphology of the community.  

 

References 
[1] A. De-Sherbinin, Population – development – environment dynamics in the developing world” In de Sherbinin, A., A. Rahman, A. Barbieri, 

J.C. Fotso, and Y. Zhu (Eds.). 2009. Urban population-environment dynamics in the developing world: Case studies and lessons learned. Paris: 
Committee for International Cooperation in National Research in Demography (CICRED), 2007. 

[2] W. Peters, "Green cities-urban environmental solutions," Global Issues-An Electronic Journal of the US Department of State, March, 
vol. 5, pp. 1-39, 2000. 

[3] C. L. Redman and N. S. Jones, "The environmental, social, and health dimensions of urban expansion," Population and Environment, 
vol. 26, pp. 505-520, 2005. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-005-0010-1. 

[4] X. Lu and S. Huang, "Barriers and solutions to China’s cultivated land protection," International Journal of Environmental Studies, 
vol. 67, pp. 223-232, 2010. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/00207231003696343. 

[5] G. Ralph, The American farmland trust vol. 46. California: Duxbury Press, 2008. 
[6] D. H. Bari, "Impact of rabid urban growth on sustainability of soil and water resources in Jordan," CIHEAM Mediterranean Options: 

Series A. Mediterranean Seminars, vol. 44, pp. 223- 231, 2001. 
[7] F. A. Adesina, "Geoinformation and natural resources exploitation in Africa; United Nations economic and social Council," 

presented at the Paper Delivered in: Fourth Meeting of the Committee on Development Information, Addis Ababa on 23-28 April, 
2005. 

[8] R. E. Heimlich and W. D. Anderson, "Development at the urban fringe and beyond: Impacts on agriculture and rural Land." vol. 
803, ed Washington D.C: Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2001, p. 80. 

[9] F. Lambin, H. Geist, and E. Lepers, "Dynamics of land use and land cover tropical regions," Global Issues-An Electronic Journal of the 
US Department of State, vol. 6, pp. 10-15, 2003. 

[10] N. G. Kwasi, "Urbanization process–environmental and health effect in Africa," Population Environment Research Network (PERN) 
Cybersermina, Urban Expansion: The Environmental and Health Dimensio, 2004. 

[11] Report, "Categorization of agro-ecological zones in Edo State," Bulletin, vol. 6, p. 71, 2000. 

 

  
 

Asian Online Journal Publishing Group is not responsible or answerable for any loss, damage or liability, etc. caused in relation to/arising out of the use of the content. 
Any queries should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. 
 

Table-8. Effects of encroachment on food security. 

Effect of encroachment on food security No of respondents Percentage (%) 

Yes 57 59.3 

No 18 18.8 

May be 21 21.9 

Total 96 100.0 


