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