ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF PIG FARMING ON SOIL CONDITION IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Pig farming has continued to provide economic and cultural benefits to the people of Benue State. This study was carried out to evaluate the environmental impact of pig farms on the health of soil in the vicinity of these establishments using bacteriological and physicochemical parameters in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Twenty (20) pig farms were randomly chosen for the study. Composite soil (0-30cm) samples were collected from 4 sample points using the soil auger into well labeled/tagged polythene bags. Soil was collected in duplicates and transported to the Biology Research Laboratory of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University for preparation and analysis. Analysis of soil samples revealed the presence of eight (8) pathogens dominated by E. coli (16.7%), Proteus spp. (16.7%) and Klebsiella spp (16.7%). Mean TVC and TCC in soil samples were 223.25±8.13 cfu/ml and 143.18±8.37 cfu/ml respectively with significantly variations observed at all locations (H= 35.22, P<0.05) where the control samples had the least counts. Soil samples varied significantly in the values of their physicochemical parameters where higher values were recorded in all locations than the control in terms of temperature, conductivity, pH and nitrate. Other soil parameters (CEC, P and K) fluctuated significantly among experimental and control locations. Sand composition was lower at F17 (88.7%) and control locations (88.8%) than other locations but clay (4.7%) and silt (6.6%) contents were higher at the control site. Two locations (F18 and F16) had the highest values of soil OM (13.1% and 13.08% respectively) while the control location had the lowest (4.7%). Soil TVC and TCC had very high positive significant correlation (r= +0.944, P<0.05). Also, a very high positive and significant r- value was established between TVC (r= +0.923, P<0.05) or TCC (r= +0.869, P<0.05) and organic matter. Soil organic matter and temperature had high positive significant correlation coefficients (r= +0.872, P<0.05). Thus, the deteriorating soil condition influenced high bacterial load. It is recommended that wastes from pig farms be properly managed following standard environmental guidelines There is need for continued control and monitoring by regulatory agencies on the impacts assessment of pig pen establishment on soil ecosystems in Makurdi metropolis and other places to prevent environmental hazards due to loss of healthy soil.