Bio-diversity

Odoba is a Community of 4, 00.00 people consisting of 500 households according to a survey carried out by PATTIN on the 5th and 6th July, 2013. Number of people per family is 8, consisting of 500 men ironically there are more women; they number 750, that is a ratio of 1 to , while youths and children are 3000. The inhabitants are all farmers except school children. The survey revealed that over 200 hectares of the farm lands are affected by erosion, making farming nearly impossible. With this pathetic situation, PATTIN is proposing an intervention to remedy their plight. Through consultations with Benue State ADP in 2010, it was and is still being recommended that, there is the need to construct embankments/dykes to cover an area of 3 hectares which is the source of the erosion. And to grow vertiva grass at four locations of 4 kilometers where the waters spread into the farmland. The community especially the women and youths will plant the grass that is they will provide free labor. With this intervention, all the 500 farm families affected will be restored their farm lands. It is therefore assumed that at least 80-90% of farmers will have their lands restored for farming. The project will build the capacity of the community on flood control measures by installing soil conservation mechanical structures as they work with experts (engineers and masons). The successful implementation of the will yield the following results among others: - embankments constructed, vertiva grass grown. Outcome of the project will be; lands restored, skilled community, youth with hope, food for the people, employment created, income generating activities in place etc.

Nigeria