Evaluation of the Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Biodiversity Conservation among Arable Crop Farmers in Southern Taraba, Taraba State, Nigeria
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Abstract
Biodiversity conservation is critical in agricultural systems where rural livelihoods depend heavily on natural resources. This study evaluated the role of indigenous knowledge in biodiversity conservation among arable crop farmers in Southern Taraba, Taraba State, Nigeria. Multistage and proportional sampling techniques were used to select 103 respondents from Wukari, Takum, and Donga local government areas. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Likert-scale ratings. Respondents were generally young to middle-aged; 53.4% were married, and 59.2% had tertiary education. Reported institutional constraints included inadequate extension services (77.7%), limited access to credit (68.9%), and low cooperative membership (53.4%). Awareness of biodiversity-related factors was generally high, with the contribution of forest trees to soil fertility receiving the highest mean rating (M = 4.00). Respondents identified tree cutting for fuelwood (M = 4.00), hunting wild animals (M = 3.63), forest clearing for farming (M = 3.49), and bush burning (M = 3.47) as contributors to biodiversity loss. The findings indicate that considerable indigenous knowledge and conservation awareness coexist with inadequate institutional support. The study provides evidence to inform conservation initiatives that recognize farmers’ knowledge while addressing constraints on sustainable agricultural practices. It recommends strengthening extension services, improving access to credit, promoting cooperative formation, and integrating indigenous knowledge with modern conservation strategies to support biodiversity preservation in the study area.
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