Adaptive Strategies on the Impacts of Artisanal Mining among Rural Households in Kaduna State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2026452Abstract
Mining serves as a source of livelihood for many rural communities worldwide. However, it also poses environmental risks that can negatively impact household livelihoods, such as harming farmland and contaminating water supplies. This study explores how households in rural areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria, adapt to the impacts of artisanal mining. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions, in-depth interviews, and on-site observations. The findings were analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of Nvivo Version 11.0 software. The study reveals that households employ a range of adaptive measures to mitigate the effects of artisanal mining. These include clearing new land for farming, acquiring or leasing land for cultivation, planting non-native tree species for timber and palm oil, filling mining pits and ponds for agricultural use, and using manure and fertilisers to boost crop yields. Other strategies involve relocating herders and their livestock, securing land specifically for grazing, confining livestock, purchasing animal feed, avoiding polluted water sources, treating water through heating and filtration, digging wells, and using chemicals or treated sachet water for drinking. The study recommends that both households and the government engage in reclaiming degraded land and underground mine areas for agricultural use, as a sustainable measure to combat food insecurity.
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