Benefits and Challenges of Agroforestry Practices in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the benefits and challenges associated with the practices of agroforstry farming in Igabi Local government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi- stage in combination with purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select sixty farmers from the study area. Data for the study was obtained through the use of structured questionnaire that were administered to the farmers supported with oral interview of farmers by the researchers. The data collected was subjected to analysis using descriptive stastistics. The results obtained from the study revealed that mal (80.00%) dominated farming activities in the study area. Majority (96.67%) of the farmers were in their active working age group of between 21 and 60 years of age with about 91.67% of the farmers having ability to read and write while 76.67% of the farmers have over 6 years of farming experience. The study also revealed that 66.67% of the farmers are involved in agroforestry practice in the study area with retention of trees on farmland been the most practiced agroforstry type (28.00%) and alley farming been the least practiced agroforestry type(5.00%). The study also revealed that Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa were the two tree species retained on farmlands while Eucalyptus camadulensis was the least grown tree species on farmland in the study area. Income generation (100%), food provision(91.67 %), medicinal purposes (83.33%), source of fuel wood (80%), provision of shade (75%), erosion control (53.33%), fodder for livestock (50%), source of employment (45%), provision of timbers (43.33%), improvement in soil fertility (40%), wind break(38.33%) were the benefits derived from practicing agroforestry by farmers in the study area. However despite of these benefits agroforestry practice is still facing challenges such as lack of farm inputs(86.67%), usage of traditional farm toolsn(80.00%), lack of credit facilities (70.00%), lack of start – up capital (66.67%), scarcity of water(63.33%), high incidence of pests and diseases (60%), lack of awareness concerning agroforestry practice by farmers (55%), problem of land tenure system (36.67%) and poor knowledge about agroforestry practice by the farmers (20,00%). The study therefore recommends that government intervention in the supplying of improved farm inputs should be given to farmers in the study area and farmers are also encourage to form cooperative society to enable them solve problems of lack of start –up capital as well as lack of credit facilities so that they can actively participate in agroforestry practice to combat environmental degradation.