Effect of Deforestation on Cashew Plantation in Ezimo, Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State

ABSTRACT
The study was conceived to research at the effects of deforestation on cashew plantations in EzimoUdenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, identifying the causes of deforestation on cashew plantation in the study area, it also examined the effects of deforestation on the livelihood (economic) of cashew farmer in Ezimo measures and approaches was also checked to mitigate deforestation of cashew this was the questions sorted out for the questionnaire and observation was also made with interviews personally with the cashew farmers. The study employed a purposive sampling and descriptive technique design, 50 sampled population sized was used for the research the population comprised the cashew farmers. The study was analyzed using frequency tables, and mean. After this work was carried out it helped to know the causes of deforestation on cashew plantation in Ezimo. This research work will be of guide to other researchers to ease their own work. The study had noted a number of issues relating to deforestation, environment and the human livelihoods the rise of environmental management has lent credence for the need to give studies such as this the needed attention taking carefully noted a number of issues in the study, the following recommendations were proffered. It was noted that the greatest and most direct cause of deforestation in the areawas the regular increase in population pressure, which triggers the need for commercialization across boundaries. Government should encourage this by generating subsidized alternatives. This would contribute immensely in checking high incidence of deforestation in rural communities. From the finding, most females were shying away from cashew farming, the government should also encourage women in Ezimo by providing incentives such as grants, and soft loans fertilizers, farming tools/equipments in order to be engaged as part in cashew farming in Ezimo. Government should also engage agricultural extentionist to educate and interact with this farmers on the need to know the potential benefits of cashew plantation.