An Assessment of Agricultural Lands in the Kalgo Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
This study assesses the impact of gully erosion on agricultural lands in the Kalgo area of Kebbi State, Nigeria, focusing on the characteristics of gully morphology and estimates of soil loss. Field-based measurements were conducted across seven selected gully sites in Kalgo, Ungwajeji, and the Kalgo River areas, yielding key data on gully dimensions and slope characteristics. The study highlights varying gully profiles with respect to depth, width, and length, as well as their relationship to soil loss.
The results show significant variation in gully morphology, with the K1 site, located in the Kalgo area, exhibiting the highest volume of soil loss (619.2 m³) due to its longer length and larger cross-sectional area (6.88 m²). Other sites such as K2, KR2, and KR3 also show considerable soil loss, with K2 having a soil loss of 273 m³ despite its smaller size. Slope analysis across the sites indicates a range from gentle to moderately steep gradients, with KR3 being the most prone to erosion due to its steeper slope (5.47% or 3.13°).
The overall findings emphasize the significant contribution of gully erosion to soil degradation, particularly in areas with larger and deeper gullies, which result in higher soil loss volumes. These results underline the urgent need for soil conservation measures in Kalgo and its surrounding areas to mitigate the adverse effects of gully erosion on agricultural productivity and land use sustainability.