Agroforestry as a Strategy for Livelihood Resilience to Socially Destabilized Area of Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the feasibility of agroforestry as a strategy for livelihood resilience in the socially destabilized area of Borno state. To achieve this, scheduled interviews were conducted in three Agricultural Development Programme ADP zones of the state. Multistage sampling procedure was used. In the first stage, two Local Government Area L.G.A. were purposively chosen from each of the three ADP zones. At second stage, two districts were chosen purposively from each LG.A. Third stage employed proportionate allocation of 20% of the villages from each of the districts. Final stage was a simple random sampling of 15% of the agroforestry practitioners. Data was collected through scheduled interview from three hundred and one (301) agroforestry farmers and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed majority (37.5%) were between the ages of 41 and 50, and 86% were male. Most (78.1%) were married, and 36.9% had non-formal education. About 55.5% have households size of 1-5, and (58.8%) have farm size of 1-2 ha. Approximately 74% of the population lived in rural areas and acquired knowledge from their parents. Home garden was the most popular and profitable practice in the area. The main products obtained from agroforestry practice were fruits (53.5%) and vegetables (26.6%) production. The major contributions of agroforestry to livelihood assets include improved farming knowledge with 55.5%, increased savings with 69.4%, provision of irrigation facilities, diversified products and direct access to experts and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with 39.2%, 56.1% and 45.5% respectively. It was evident from the study that agroforestry practice served as a strategy for livelihood resilience and improved livelihood assets and therefore recommended that, active age group should be engaged to strengthen the agroforestry practice in the area as well supply with adequate improved seeds and livestock for livelihood resilience by government and NGOs.