IMPACT OF RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RICE FARMERS IN ZABARMARI VILLAGE OF JERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE

The persistent attack of cereal crops by Quelea quelea causes decline in crop yield, thereby affecting the livelihood of rice farmers in Zabbarmari. Thus, this research is aimed at estimating the quantity of rice consumed and farm size destroyed by Quelea quelea within a farming season. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit response from 100 rice farmers, of which 91 questionnaires were duly completed and successfully retrieved. Descriptive analysis was done using frequencies and percentages, while the relationship of land sizes destroyed and quantity of rice lost was determined using Regression analysis. Obtained results indicate that most of the respondents represented by 91.2% and 82.4% opined to have experienced a daily loss of 59.0 – 70.0kg (N70,800 – N84,000) and a seasonal loss of 2000 – 2400kg (N2,400,000 – N2,880,000) of rice respectively. Subsequently, 90.1% and 79.1% of the respondents agree that an average of 200 x 200meters and 4.5 – 5hectres to be the individual and community farm sizes devoured by Quelea quelea. A further confirmation of these results is expressed in the result of regression analysis which shows that for every increase in 0.36ha and 0.62ha, there is an additional daily loss of 4.06kg and seasonal 1.87kg loss of rice respectively. Based on the existing methods of bird control used by farmers in Zabbarmari which is not efficient; it is recommended that government should adopt a more ecologically friendly approach rather than the use of chemicals. Through the teaching and provision of trapping tools, as well as sensitizing citizens on the need to consume quelea meat as an alternative source of meat protein. Keywords: Quelea quelea, Rice Farmers, yield loss, Livelihood, Control measure