1.1 Introduction
Mining is the process or business of extracting ore or minerals from the ground. Recent activities and its nearby towns have raised concerns about the increased competition between mining and agriculture. This concern has awakened global concern and has increased food prices within the area. These activities are gradually destroying agricultural lands as well as crop production, gradually resulting in a net food deficit in the area. Although the livelihoods of the people have improved because of mining activities, agricultural production has declined (Mpandeli et al., 2015). Farm land surface mining is simply the process of removing the vegetation of a place and the use of heavy equipment to mine the mineral. In the process pits and dumps are created that result in the degradation of the land (Ntiamoah 2000).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Mining activities in the area has seen massive migration of all kinds of people to the area. The population growth rate has increased according to the district statistics office. The impact of mining in Ivo Local Government Area and its nearby towns has attracted different views from people in the area. Some of the people view the advent of mining as having created a positive impact in their lives. Others have their views on health, social, environmental, cultural and economic issues relating to surface mining (Adu-Yeboah et al 2008).
Approximately 60% of the areas labour force is engaged in agriculture. Agriculture is practiced at the subsistent level by 62% of the population with the remaining 38% involved in some form of large scale agriculture. Land holdings for agricultural purposes in the area are done through permanent ownership and leasing arrangement (Abunu & Abusa). Majority of the farm lands are held through the land leasing arrangements. There is also animal rearing in the area which is generally at the subsistent level with most reared domestically. These include cattle, sheep, goat, rabbit and poultry (EASTAKIM, 2006).
In the mist of the mixed effects of mining sector on the Nigerian economy, the policy environment in Nigeria still favors huge capital investment into the mining sector. This is still influenced by the World Bank’s policy of promoting private-led investment in the mining sector. Mining operations are generally located in rural areas where majority of the inhabitants identify farming as their main source of livelihood. However, the nature of mining in Nigeria is characterized by major socio-economic effects such as displacement of people and property, loss of arable lands, livelihoods and environmental pollution (Aragon and Rud, 2012).
According to Akabzaa et al. (2001) mining operations in Nigeria are usually characterized by forced acquisition of land from the peasant farmers under ambiguous regulations that often lead to no or little compensation to these farmers (Akabzaa et al., 2001). Despite the significant contribution of mining operations to the national economy, there is little or no trickling down effects on communities directly impacted by the mining operations. Furthermore, the mining revenues are exported offshore which mainly benefit the multinational corporations at the expense of indigenous people. Mining communities are also characterized by protracted conflicts between the indigenous people and the mining communities. This is mainly due to the perceived exploitation of the mineral resources which do not benefit the indigenous people (Oxfam America, 2009).
The negative impact of mining may include unemployment and dislocation of families. It creates unemployment because people lose their farmlands to the mining companies. In effect their source of livelihood is taken over by the mines. In spite of these adverse effects, mining companies provide good drinking water; build clinics and schools and other infrastructure for the communities. Mining companies also provide capacity building workshops for some workers in the operational area as well as provide extension services to the farmer. Also, when mining royalties and other mining benefits are transferred to the local community level, it often leads to conflicts due to disagreements over entitlement rights and distribution mechanism to reach the rightful beneficiaries (Arellano-Yanguas, 2009).
Therefore, in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Mining Activities on Agricultural Lands.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that Majority of the people in these areas are highly dependent on the government for the provision of opportunities than on mining companies. Although mines provide jobs for communities in the surrounding areas, unemployment rate is still high (Mathipa & Roux, 2009). These mining industries are in rural areas where land was previously used for farming and residential purposes. The expansion of mining activities changes land uses in the surrounding communities (Aird & Archer, 2004). The rights of the people to benefit from the communal land are violated by the emergence of businesses like mining (Phala, 2013).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Effect of Mining Activities on Agricultural Lands in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the farmers’ perceived impact of mining activities on agricultural production in Ivo Local Government Area;
- To examine the consequence of mining on farming in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State;
- To analyze the socio-economic impact of mining activities on the local communities in Ivo Local Government Area; and
- To determine factors influencing the farmers’ perceived impact of mining activities on agricultural production in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors influencing the farmers’ perceived impact of mining activities on agricultural production in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State?
- What is the consequence of mining on farming in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State?
- What is the socio-economic impact of mining activities on the local communities in Ivo Local Government Area?
- What is the farmers’ perceived impact of mining activities on agricultural production in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Mining activities have negative impact on crop and livestock production in the local communities of Ivo Local Government Area.
- H1: Mining activities have positive impact on crop and livestock production in the local communities of Ivo Local Government Area.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Mining activities have insignificant impact on socio-economic aspects of the local communities.
- H1: Mining activities have significant impact on socio-economic aspects of the local communities.
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of the study if adopted by policy makers will serve as basis for informed policy decisions aimed at improving the surrounding communities. It may enable government to make informed decisions in the allocation of mining licenses in the land used for agricultural purposes, and improve land zoning.
This study will also be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Effect of Mining Activities on Agricultural Lands in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Mining: It is the process or business of extracting ore or minerals from the ground. Recent activities and its nearby towns have raised concerns about the increased competition between mining and agriculture.
