INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS ON CROP FARMERS' PERCEIVED CONTROL MEASURES FOR BUSH BURNING IN KWARA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT, NIGERIA

Abstract

Bush burning remains a persistent socio-ecological challenge in savanna landscapes, with implications for agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods and environmental management. This study examined the spatial dimensions of bush-burning control in Kwara South Senatorial District, Nigeria, focusing on how socio-demographic characteristics and location shape perceptions of control measures across Ekiti, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Isin, Offa, Oke-Ero and Oyun Local Government Areas. Data were obtained from 155 adult respondents across 31 settlements using multistage, purposive and snowball sampling. A structured questionnaire with acceptable internal reliability was administered, while descriptive statistics, chi-square, one-way analysis of variance and non-parametric tests assessed socio-demographic and spatial variations in perceived control measures. Findings revealed substantial socio-demographic differences across the seven LGAs, particularly in age, education, occupation, marital status, residency duration, farming experience and farm distance. Sensitisation recorded the highest support (92.9%), followed by timely weed control (85.8%) and reporting to community heads (85.2%). Significant spatial differences occurred for fire tracing, farm surveillance, crop restriction, police reporting, community surveillance, financial penalties, mixed cropping and timely weed control, whereas sensitisation and community-head reporting showed no significant spatial variation. Respondent-level associations indicated significant differences in selected control measures by education, occupation, age, marital status, farming experience and residency duration. The study concludes that bush-burning control in Kwara South is a socio-ecological, livelihood and spatial governance challenge requiring differentiated strategies that combine preventive sensitisation, community reporting, surveillance, alternative land-management practices and proportionate enforcement tailored to local conditions.