THE EFFECTS OF ARTISANAL GOLD MINING ON CROP FARMING IN THE NADOWLI-KALEO DISTRICT

Abstract

The study examined artisanal gold mining operations and their effects on crop farming in the Nadowli-Kaleo District. Mining in developing countries are located in rural areas where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. The study purposively selected five (5) communities (Kunche, Nanga, Gabillee, Vuuyiri and Wuchema) by virtue of their proximity to mining sites and also their homogeneity in terms of livelihood portfolios. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select 162 farmers (Non-Miners) for the study. Further, forty (40) artisanal miners were interviewed using the snow ball sampling due to the illegal nature of their activities. Data for the study were collected through a structured questionnaire designed based on the objectives of the study and from literature. The data collected was subjected to descriptive analysis with the use of bar charts, percentages, cross-tabulations and frequency distribution tables. The crop farmers in the study areas cultivated crops like maize, beans, groundnut, millet, sorghum, rice, yam and assortments of vegetables. The research revealed that majority (77%) of men was into artisanal gold mining as compared to women (23%). Farmers' crop production and productivity constraints were the destruction of farmlands and the grabbing of farmlands by artisanal gold miners. Streamlining the processes in acquiring valid mining license, and investment in irrigation were some of the recommendations made.