Farmers' Adoption of Soil Conservation Technologies: A Case Study from Osun State, Nigeria
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2009
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Routledge Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to determine the attitude of farmers towards erosion and the adoption of appropriate soil conservation technologies (SCTs). For the survey, farmers were selected from the communities Esa Oke, Elwure and Owode-Ede and Akoda in Osun State in Nigeria. In the first three communities farmers did receive training on soil conservation in the fourth not. About 60 farmers were interviewed to obtain information on personal and socio economic characteristics, awareness of environmental problems, attitude towards erosion control and experiences with SCTs. Statistical data analyses (analyses of frequencies, correlation, t-test, x2-test) were made to examine possible relationships among parameters and the influence of factors on adoption. Most respondents were advanced in years, responsible for large households and characterized by low levels of income and literacy. Soil erosion was seen as a problem confronting agriculturalproduction only to a small extent. The adoption rate of SCTs was low, as only mulching, cover
cropping, contour tillage and cut-off drainage were practised and often rejected. Low labour demand, the availability of common equipment, low costs of application, ease of practice andcompatibility with the existing farming system influenced adoption.The observed positive correlation between level of education, knowledge of appropriatetechnologies, farming experience and the number of SCTs adopted emphasizes the importance for
farmers of education and training. Strengthening agricultural extension agencies for capacity building is an important tool for improving soil conservation in Nigeria. The paper clarifies with specific examples the causes of the low rates of adoption of available technologies, with a reduced impact of research and of efforts to achieve food security andsustainable production at village level
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This article is Published by Routledge Taylor & Francis Group and is also available at https://doi.org/10.1080/13892240903069769
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Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension Vol. 15, No. 3, 257-274, September 2009