AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

SOCIO-CULTURAL BELIEFS ATTACHED TO THE FORMATION OF ANT- HILLS AMONG FARMERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Udousung, I. J. and Umoh, C. E.

Abstract
The study assessed the socio- cultural beliefs attached to the formation of ant-hills in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and focus group discussion. A total of 120 farmers were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling technique, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Logit regression analysis). Findings revealed that a greater proportion (62.5%) of the respondents were females, while 37.5% were male, with mean age of 40 years. Findings also revealed that out of the eight (8) beliefs system sampled from the respondents, six (6) were considered as beliefs attached to the formation of termite hills in the study area. These include, the beliefs that, soils collected from termite hills are very fertile (x̄=3.7), soils from termite hills are believed to be good for building thatched houses (x̄=3.6, there are sign of bad omen (x̄=3.5), termite hills are used for oracles (x̄=3.4), Belief that termite hills are associated with ancestral powers (x̄=3.2) and termite hills are used for the burial of twins (x̄=2.8), Logit regression analysis showed that the coefficient of age was positively related to the control measures at 1% significant level. The study recommends that negative beliefs attached to formation of ant-hill should be discarded forthwith.