By Odoemena, Benjamin Chuks Okey
This study was an empirical analysis of the micro-level determinants of woodland
conversion to arable cropping in Enugu State of Nigeria. Specifically, the study described and
analysed farmers' behaviour and practices regarding the conversion of woodland to other
uses. It also investigated the impact of farmers' characteristics, institutional factors and
specific ago-ecological features on woodland conversion to arable cropping. The study also
explored the interactions and association of the factors in the conversion process.
Four hypotheses were investigated to create better understanding of the determinants,
and unravel their associations with each other in the conversion choice.
The relevant data for the research objectives were collected from 12 local
governinents areas purposively chosen for their agricultural practices and existence of large
expanse of woodland. Structured questionnaires, oral interviews and participatory
observations were techniques adopted to generate the required data used in the analysis. In
all, 324 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed in the 12 local government ' areas. The analysis was based on 291 respondents whose answers satisfied the ol~jectives of
the analysis. The data generated were analysed with descriptive statistics, multiple regression,
log~t analytical techniques and principal components extraction method.
The major findings were that: land per capita, poverty level and dependency on forest
resources for both income and fuelwood energy affect woodland conversion to arable
cropping. It was also found that land tenural arrangement, leadership status and technological
alternative significantly influenmd.cdrrVersion' of woodland to arable cropping.
The study also found that credit access, forest ownership, member of farmers'
cooperative society, technology access, and access to off-farm employment negatively and
significantly affected woodland conversion to arable cropping. Analysis also indicated that
proximity of woodland from honlestead, 'agricultural potential, topo-sequence and vegetated
lands, positively and significantly, affected choice of woodland conversion.