ABSTRACT

The effect of crude oil spillage on productivity and income of farmers in Ibeno L.G.A, Akwa Ibom State were examined. A multistage random sample technique was adopted in selecting 80 farmers from 10 communities in Ibeno, an oil producing agricultural zone of Akwa Ibom State. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers output, input and their prices; the perceived effect of oil spill on the their environment and the various problems associated with oil spillage. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used in presenting the data on the socio-economic characteristics, environmental degradation in the area; and the various farming strategies employed to cope with oil spillage. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the effects of crude oil spillage on agricultural productivity. The result shows that farm size was relatively low in the area and more female were involved in farm production than men. Land degradation, destruction of forest and vegetation, and contamination of water bodies were among the various environmental degradation occurring in the area. Farmers coped with the menace most by acquiring new unaffected land buying of unaffected clay soil for cultivation. The significant variable influencing production were farm size, labour, age, farm experience and years of education. The adjusted R-square and appropriateness to a prior expectation. The hypothesis was rejected as crude oil spillage was found to be inimical to agricultural productivity in the area. The problems associated were mostly that of farm, forest and vegetation destruction and health problems. Given the fact that menace could be curtailed and productivity improved, strict adherence to the various laws regarding oil production, monitoring of all production activities, creation of local oil spill response centers and the substance of the governments amnesty program among others were recommended.