Illegal gold mining, land degradation and food security in nigeria: a case of yauri, kebbi state, Nigeria

Illegal gold mining and land degradation can affect food production negatively. This study examines the impacts of illegal/surface gold mining and land degradation on food security in Yauri, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Data for this study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A total of 250 copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents in the study area using systematic random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentages, graph and frequency among others were used to analyze the data. Result revealed that majority of the respondents (97.1%) and (98.4%) used farmland as their mining site and excavated soil and tailings were dumped on the farmland respectively. The result further showed that more than 96% of the respondents abandoned farming activities for illegal gold mining. This finding indicates loss of farm labour which may result to food insecurity in the study area. The study calls for constitutional provision that will empower states to control and extract whatever minerals deposited within their domain for the overall economic benefit of the citizenry.