Soil Conservation Practices of Arable Crop Farmers in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental effects of drought, flooding and erosion results to soil degradation. Sustainable soil conservation practices are thus inevitable for agricultural production, food security, farmers’ well being and rural economy. This study therefore investigated the soil conservation practices to mitigate soil degradation among arable crops farmers in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 128 arable farmers. Data were collected with structured interview schedule. Frequencies, percentages, means, PPMC and t-test were used to summarize and analyze the data. Bush burning, soil erosion, soil compaction and deforestation were presumed by the arable crop farmers to be the causes of soil degradation in the area. Majority (60.2%) of the arable crop farmers perceived the effect of soil degradation to be disastrous and the common soil conservation practices are mulching, manure application and bush fallowing. The challenges in the adoption of soil conservation strategies are insufficient fund, unfavourable land tenure system, lack of incentive, inadequate information, little technical knowhow and low soil conservation skills. The perception of soil degradation among arable crop farmers is irrespective of their age and marital status, but depends largely on their educational level and religion. However, the higher the farmers’ presumption of the causes of soil degradation, (r= -0.02, p=0.825) the lower they adopt soil conservation strategies. It is recommended that farmers be educated on efficient soil use practices through cross fertilization of ideas among research, extension and farmers’ groups on sustainable soil use.