Conflicts Between Forestry And Agricultural Land – Uses In Ogun State

ABSTRACT

Clash of interests between custodians of government Forest Reserves (FRs) in Ogun

State and farmers operating within them, often results in conflicts causing disruption of

socio-economic activities and sometimes loss of lives. Information on the causes and

effects of these clashes would better inform policy makers and forestry professionals

on workable and sustainable land-use practice. Therefore, factors responsible for such

conflicts and their effects were investigated. Seven hundred and fifty farmers were

randomly selected based on probability proportionate to size from 72 enclaves. This

represents 30% of the total number of enclaves in the nine FRs in the State. In

addition, 30% of staff of Ministries of Forestry and Agriculture (72 and 32

respectively) were randomly selected for questionnaire administration. Furthermore,

30% (32) of the timber contractors operating within the FRs were randomly selected

for interview using an interview schedule. Data were collected on existence, causes

and effects of conflicts, land hunger, accessibility to forestland and farming systems

practised. Secondary data on the thrust of subsisting forestry and agricultural policies

were obtained from the State Agricultural Policy, Federal land-use Act of 1978 and

reports from the State Ministry of Forestry. Data were analyzed using descriptive

statistics and logit model at p