Effects of Deforestation on Agricultural Land Productivity in Ekiti State, South West Nigeria

Deforestation-driven land degradation poses a direct threat to agricultural productivity in many Nigerian states where farming communities depend on forest-adjacent lands for their livelihoods. In Ekiti State, widespread tree felling for charcoal production, timber, and farmland expansion has been linked to soil nutrient depletion and declining crop yields. This study examined the effects of deforestation on agricultural land productivity in Ekiti State. A cross-sectional survey of 106 farmers from four local government areas with documented forest cover loss was conducted using structured questionnaires. Soil samples were collected from deforested and forested farm plots for laboratory analysis of key fertility indicators including pH, organic carbon, and available phosphorus. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were applied. Results showed that deforested farm plots had significantly lower organic carbon content, reduced moisture retention, and increased surface soil compaction compared to plots adjacent to standing forest. Farmers on degraded plots reported average yield reductions of 34 percent for yam and 29 percent for maize over a five-year period. Agroforestry practices including boundary planting and intercropping with nitrogen-fixing species were identified as viable restoration pathways. The study recommends incentivising agroforestry adoption through targeted extension support and establishing community forest management committees in Ekiti State. Keywords: deforestation, land productivity, soil fertility, Ekiti State, agroforestry.