Cash Crop Cultivation and Deforestation Dynamics in Kurmi Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

Deforestation remains one of the most serious environmental challenges in tropical countries where agriculture is a major economic activity. In Nigeria, increasing demand for agricultural products has intensified pressure on forest ecosystems, leading to extensive forest conversion and environmental degradation. This study examined the relationship between cash crop cultivation and deforestation in Kurmi Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, Nigeria. Specifically, it identified cash crops associated with deforestation, assessed their effects on forest resources, evaluated the extent of forest cover change between 2020 and 2023, and determined the major drivers of deforestation. The study adopted a descriptive survey design integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques. Primary data were collected from 200 farmers through structured questionnaires and field observations, while secondary data were obtained from Landsat satellite imagery, Global Forest Watch databases, government reports, and relevant literature. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and GIS-based land-use/land-cover change detection techniques. Findings revealed that cocoa (32.5%), sesame (24.0%), soybeans (18.5%), cassava (15.0%), and rice (10.0%) were the major cash crops linked to forest conversion. Forest cover declined from 61.8% in 2020 to 51.2% in 2023, representing a net loss of 10.6%, while agricultural land increased from 24.7% to 35.0%. The principal drivers of deforestation were agricultural expansion (34.5%), population growth (23.0%), logging (18.5%), weak enforcement of environmental regulations (13.0%), and fuelwood extraction (11.0%). The study concludes that cash crop expansion is a major contributor to forest loss in Kurmi LGA and recommends sustainable land-use planning, agroforestry, improved environmental governance, and community-based forest management.