ABSTRACT

Environmental degradation of the Oil-rich Niger Delta has been Wanton and

continuous with direct health and economic consequences for its people for over

three decades. Using a sample of 120 cassava farmers drawn from 2 communities,

60 for oil producing and 60 non-oil producing area of Delta State being Afiesere

for oil and Abraka for non-oil producing community both in Delta State. With the

primary objective to; examine the socio-economic profile of farmers in the oil

producing zones, and non oil producing zone, examine the impact of oil production

on cassava production, and make recommendation based on findings. Descriptive

and inferential statistics and multiple regression analysis was done to examine the

socio-economic characteristics of oil and non-oil producing communities and

determinant of cassava production in both oil and non-oil producing areas

respectively. A pooled regression was done as to access the effect of oil production

on cassava production. Oil spill, gas flaring, solid waste disposal reduces crop

yield, land productivity and greatly depreciate farm income. In other to halt the

continual degradation, of the Niger Delta environment, I recommended that

enactment and enforcement of stringent environmental laws to protect the area as

well as the implementation of policies to reduce the crushing level of poverty and

guarantee a better livelihood and also to boost cassava output in Nigeria.