Abstract

Primary production activity and environmental resources hold the key to rural development. The range of activities in primary production forms the basis with which rural communities relate with the environment and carry out rural development activities. This study examined the interactions in man-environment system and how such interactions could affect development processes. A multistage sampling framework was adopted in the selection of 400 respondents in eight rural communities in Uyo Local Government Area. Structured questionnaire was applied to collect data on 35 independent and 22 dependent variables. Factor analysis was applied to collapse the two sets of data. Both the 35 independent and 22 dependent variables yielded five new factors for each set of data. Step wise multiple regression analyses model was performed to regress all the five new x-components against each of the five y-components and the results showed strong and positive levels of relationships. The study recommended tripartite-P model to promote sustainable development in rural communities.

Key words: Environmental resources, exploitation, rural development.