OSUN RIVER BASIN RELATIONS WITH AGRICULTURAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The importance of the Osun River Basin to the ecosystems and livelihood sustenance of people living along its course cannot be overemphasized. This assertion necessitates this study with a view to establish the relations of water bodies with agricultural and cultural activities in Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 180 respondents were selected from three LGAs in the State using a multi- stage sampling procedure and a structured questionnaire was administered during a field survey to elicit primary data from the respondents. Specifically, the study examined agricultural activities and cultural beliefs surrounding the Osun River Basin, and the perceived positive and negative effects of the River on the respondents’ socioeconomic wellbeing. Data analysis was carried out using frequency and mean statistics. The study’s results revealed that activities such as vegetable cultivation (78.9%), seasonal crop farming (76.7%), and marketing of agricultural produce (66.1%) were the major livelihood activities around the Osun River Basin. The River also provides sites for tourism attraction; water for domestic use, transportation and cleaning of farm structures. The study further revealed that the River Basin has significantly contributed to food security and income generation of the respondents despite the existence of cultural beliefs and rituals surrounding the use of the river. The negative impacts which threaten sustainable use of the river and surrounding ecosystems identified include; including illegal waste disposal (Mean = 2.00), flooding (Mean = 2.41), and pollution (Mean = 2.48). The study concludes that the River Basin offers extremely important ecological and economic resources that supports multiple livelihood strategies, though in the face of environmental degradation and weak management practices. It recommends environmental education, cultural integration into sustainable land-use policies which balances livelihood needs with conservation goals.