STRATEGIES FOR INVOLVING RURAL FARMERS IN AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Camilus Bassey Ben

Department of Vocational and Special Education

 University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

E-mail: bencamilus@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Akwa Ibom States is located in the rainforest belt of Nigeria known for preponderance of agricultural biodiversity. Agricultural biodiversity or agrobiodiversity is succinctly referred, is the diversity of agrogenetic resources used directly for food and agriculture; the diversity of species that support production and the diversity of species that support agroecosystem, as well as diversity agroecosystems themselves. Itperforms many closely interrelated socioeconomic and environmental functions, including promoting food and livelihood security, maintaining productive and environmental sustainability; and contributing to resilient rural economics. Because of these enormous potentials, and farmers have been making frantic efforts at conserving this vital resource. However, despite these efforts, agrobiodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate. This study was designed to determine the measures for enhancing the involvement of rural farmers in agricultural biodiversity conservation In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria A research question and one related null hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. A total of 858 respondents comprising rural farmers, agricultural extension officers, forestry officers, professional conservators and staff of conservation based NGOs were involved in the study. The data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed with mean, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings of the study revealed that some of the key measures for involving rural farmers in agricultural biodiversity conservation In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria include the application of incentive system in the management of agricultural resources, non-imposition of fines on agro based produce/products and the provision of adequate marketing outlets in the rural areas for agro-based produce among others. Finally, it was concluded that to enhance agrobiodiversity conservation, programmes of agrobiodiversity conservation in the state should involve the rural communities who are the major actors in the development of agroresources and its conservation principles.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Agrobiodiversity, Agroecosystems, Conservation, Rural farmers