Economics of soil conservation farming techniques in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Soil conservation is an important economic activity, which requires considerable investment in Nigeria. This study was conducted to evaluate the economics of soil conservation farming techniques in Abia State, Nigeria. Out of the three Agricultural zones in the state, Ohafia and Umuahia zones were purposively selected for a detailed study. From a list of eight Blocks, four from Ohafia and four from Umuahia zones, six ADP Extension Blocks were randomly selected from the two agricultural zones. From the blocks, a random sample of 120 farmers, 20 farmers per block, were selected and interviewed with semi-structured questionnaire. The study concentrated on factors relating to physical soil conservation techniques used, relevant economic characteristics, cost of conservation crops and associated costs and returns from these crops. The data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics and profitability model. Results showed that about half of the farmers used mound technique while the next highest techniques used were ridge/mound and flat/minimum tillage techniques. The profitability results on the predominant soil conservation techniques used, showed mound technique being profitable than ridge/mound and flat planting/minimum tillage techniques. It was therefore, suggested that the use of mound technique should be encourage in the study areas.

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(2) 2006: 62-66