gender and environmental degradation in agrarian communities of ebonyi state, nigeria

240 Pages·2014·3.21 MB·English

GENDER AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN
AGRARIAN COMMUNITIES OF EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

EUGENIA CHIKA AKPA
B.Sc. (ZARIA), M.Sc. (ZARIA)
PGSS/UJ/0180/06

A thesis in the Department of SOCIOLOGY,
Faculty of Social Sciences,
Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies,
University of Jos, in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in SOCIOLOGY of the
UNIVERSITY OF JOS

MAY 2014
CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that the research work for this thesis and the subsequent preparation of
this thesis by Eugenia Chika Akpa (PGSS/UJ/0180/06) were carried out under my
supervision.

 
D. A. Ityavyar Date
Supervisor

---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Prof. R.I. Gofwen Date
Supervisor

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Dr. E.O. Olumideji Date
Ag Head of Department
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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this work is the product of my own research efforts, undertaken
under the supervision of Professor Dennis Ityavyar and Professor Rotgak I. Gofwen
and has not been presented elsewhere for the award of a degree or certificate. All
sources have been duly distinguished and appropriately acknowledged.


Eugenia Chika Akpa
PGSS/UJ/0180/06
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My special gratitude goes first to God, Who is Father and Almighty and His
only begotten Son Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit for His direction and
inspiration, which made this work possible. I owe a lot of gratitude to my supervisors,
Professors D. Ityavyar and R.I. Gofwen internationally renowned gender and
development experts whose wealth of experiences immensely enriched the work and
whose patience in painstakingly reading and correcting the work is second to none. I
thank particularly Professors E.G. Best, E.G, Ejikeme and A.E. Idyorough, Dr. E.O.
Olumedeji and Dr. Ikoh; all seminar discussions from within and outside the
Department and all the lecturers in the Department whose constructive criticisms,
contributions and suggestions are worthwhile in the quality of this work. May God
continue to bless them. I am grateful to Dr. P. Yakubu, the Deputy Dean, School of
Postgraduate Studies who facilitated my upgrading to PhD level from M.Phil and
ensured that the work adhered to PG guidelines and format.
I have special thanks for my husband, Professor T.C. Akpa, who has not only
provided encouragements and financial support but also typed the work and was by me
at every inch of the work. I am grateful to my children, Amaka, Chike, Enyinna, Ezinne
and Oluchukwu (MJ) they helped a lot. I also want to mention my mother, Ezinne
Roseline Akpa, Prof. G.N. Akpa, Bros Obinna, Alloysius, Kenneth, Chinazor, Sister
Appolonia and Kenechi for their continuous encouragement and support.
During the fieldwork the following persons made special contributions, Mr. James
Aburo, the driver, Mr. Godwin Nwagwu, Mr. Anthony Nwonu, Mr. Godwin Aka, Mr.
Lawrence Chukwu, Mr. Njoku Omoke of NPC, Abakaliki and their field assistants and
Engr, D. Umahi, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, for their assistance. My
brothers, Mr. C. Ndubuisi and S. Ifeonu interpreted the questionnaires into Igbo
language, and Mrs. A. Akpa and Miss E.N. Obinna, my beloved sisters who helped in
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the transcription of the recorded discussions. I also thank my family friend and Godson
Mr. C.M. Ekenta who was very useful in typing, data analysis and interpretation. To my
brethren in the Lord, who supported me with prayers, I say may God continue to bless
you.
Finally, I owe special thanks to my dear colleagues in the Department of
Sociology of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Their names are written in gold. May the
Almighty God grant the heart desires of each of them. Amen.
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DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to my beloved father, the late Chief Lawrence N. Akpa, a
first class Headmaster of great repute, who would have loved to see my days as a well-
educated woman and to my husband, Prof T.C Akpa, who took over from where he
stopped.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
CERTIFICATION………………………………………………………………………ii
DECLARATION……………………………………………………………………….iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………………………………………….iv
DEDICATION………………………………………………………………………….vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………...vii
LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………viii
LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………………xv
LIST OF PLATES…………………………………………………………………….xvi
LIST OF APPENDICES……………………………………………………………..xvii
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………….xvii
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY…………………………………………….1
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM……………………………..2
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS……………………………………………………..5
1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY…………………………………...5
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY…………………………………………….6
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY………………………………………………………7
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY……………………………………………….8
1.8 DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS…………………………………………..9
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 THE DEGRADATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE BASE……...14
2.2 GENDER ROLES IN ACCESS TO AND CONTROL OVER
NATURAL RESOURCES…………………………………………………….22

2.3 THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND
GENDER………………………………………………………………………32

2.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK…………………………………………….34
Framework on Gender Inequality/Differences………………………………..34
Framework on Environmental Degradation…………………………………..36
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CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN………………………………………………………..45
3.2 RESEARCH SETTING………………………………………………………45
3.2.1 Topography of the Research Area……………………………………………51
3.3 POPULATION OF STUDY………………………………………………….59
3.4 SAMPLING METHOD AND PROCEDURE……………………………….59
3.5 INSTRUMENTS OF DATA COLLECTION………………………………..66
3.6 PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLLECTION…………………………………66
3.6.1 Transect Walk…………………………………………………………………66
3.6.2 The Questionnaire……………………………………………………………..67
3.6.3 The Focus Group Discussion Method…………………………………………67
3.6.4 Semi-Structured Interview…………………………………………………….68
3.6.5 Key Informant Interviews……………………………………………………..69
3.7 METHODS OF DATA ANALYSIS………………………………………….69
3.8 QUALITY CONTROL………………………………………………………..70
3.6 ETHICAL CONSIDERATION……………………………………………….71
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF DATA
4.1 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DATA OF THE RESPONDENTS………………72
4.2 CORE RESEARCH FINDINGS……………………………………………..80
4.2.1 Nature of Land Degradation in Ebonyi State…………………………………80
4.2.2 Causes of Land Degradation in Ebonyi State………………………………...87
4.2.3 Engendering the Causes of Land Degradation in Ebonyi State………………91
4.2.4 Forest Degradation in Ebonyi State…………………………………………..95
4.2.5 Causes of Forest Degradation in Ebonyi State………………………………..97
4.2.6 Engendering the Causes of Forest Degradation in Ebonyi State……………..97
4.2.7 Degradation of Sources of Water in Ebonyi State……………………………100
4.2.8 Causes of Water Source Degradation in Ebonyi State……………………….103
4.2.9 Engendering the Causes of Water Degradation in Ebonyi State…………….105
4.3 MINERAL DEPOSIT AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
IN EBONYI STATE…………………………………………………………110

4.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION……………………………………………………………114
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4.4.1 Impacts of Land Degradation in Ebonyi State............................................... 114
4.4.2 Impact of Forest Degradation in Ebonyi State.............................................. 118
4.4.3 Impact of Water Degradation in Ebonyi State............................................... 120
4.4.4 Impact of Tapping Natural Resources in Ebonyi State .................................122
4.5 IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON GENDER
ROLES..................................................................................................... …..124
4.5.1 Perception of the Gender Rotes in Farming Communities in Ebonyi
State........................................................................................................ ……125
4.5.2 Impact of Land Degradation on Gender Roles in Ebonyi State......................127
4.5.3 Impact of Forest Degradation on Gender Roles in Ebonyi State.....................129
4.5.4 Impact of Water Body Degradation on Gender Roles in Ebonyi State............131
4.6 IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON GENDER
RELATION......................................................................................................133

4.7 COPING STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY THE PEOPLE IN SOLVING
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS…..............................................................137
4.7.1 Migration as Coping Strategy Against Impact of Environmental
Degradation......................................................................................................137
4.7.2 Coping with Degradation of Farmlands by Use of Technology..................... 139
4.7.3 Coping with Degradation of Forests................................................................144
4.7.4 Coping with Water Scarcity in Ebonyi State ................................................. 146
4.7.5 Looking for Assistance as Means of Coping...................................................148
4.8 GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION............................................................................................158
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

5.1 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DATA OF THE RESPONDENTS.......................161
5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN THE STUDY AREA................ 164
5.2.1 Land Degradation in Ebonyi State...................................,...............................164
5.2.2 Forest Degradation in Ebonyi State..................................................................167
5.2.3 Water Source Degradation in Ebonyi State .....................................................169

5.3 MINERAL DEPOSIT AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN
EBONYI STATE..............................................................................................170

5.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION IN EBONYI STATE .........................................................171
5.4.1 Socio-economic Impact of Land Degradation .................................................171
5.4.2 Socio-economic Impact of Forest Degradation................................................172
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5.4.3 Socio-economic Impact of Water Degradation ...............................................172
5.4.4 Socio-economic Impact of Tapping Natural Resources ..................................173

5.5 IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON GENDER
ROLES AND RELATIONS............................................................................ 174
5.5.1 Gender Roles in Farming Community............................................................. 174
5.5.2 Impact of Environmental Degradation on Gender Relations...........................175

5.6 COPING STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY THE PEOPLE IN SOLVING
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ...............................................................177
5.6.1 Migration as Coping Strategy Against Impact of Environmental
Degradation......................... …….................................................................. 177
5.6.2 Coping with Degradation of Farmlands by Use of Technology.....................178
5.6.3 Coping with Degradation of Forests.............................................................. 179
5.6.4 Coping with Water Scarcity…………………………………………………179
5.6.5 Looking for Assistance as Coping Strategy……………………………...….180

5.7 GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL
DEGRADATION.......................................................................................... 181

CHAPTER SIX
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS............................................................... 184
6.1.1 Socio-Demographic Data. ............................................................................ 184
6.1.2 Nature and Causes of Environmental Degradation in the Study Area..........184
6.1.3 Socio-economic Impact of Environmental Degradation...............................186
6.1.4 Impact of Environmental Degradation on Gender Roles and Relations….. 186
6.1.5 Coping Strategies for Environmental Problems...........................................187
6.1.6 Government Intervention Policies on Environmental Degradation.............188
6.2 CONCLUSION ..........................................................................................188
6.3 CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE.....................................................189
6.4 RECOMMENDATIONS...........................................................................189
REFERENCES......................................................................................................193
APPENDIX………………………………………………………………………204