Fertilizer policy of 2010-2015 and changes in farmers fertilizer use and revenue in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study ascertained if the fertilizer policy of the Transformation Agenda; 2010-2015 made any difference in Nigerian farmers’ fertilizer use rate and their revenue. It examined the fertilizer use rate by farmers before and during the policy period and, analyses the effect of the policy on the revenue of farmers before and during the policy period. A paired t-test was employed to examine the fertilizer use rate and revenue of farmers before and during the policy period. The result shows that the average fertilizer use rates during the policy period and before the policy period were 9.3kg/ha and 8.8kg/ha respectively with a difference of 0.5kg/ha of fertilizer used between the periods. It also shows that the average revenue of farmers during the policy period and before the policy period were ₦139,745.8 and ₦126,169.5, respectively with a difference of ₦13,576.3 between the two periods. There was statistical difference between the quantities of fertilizers used by the farmers and their revenues before and during the policy period. Thus, indicating that the policy intervention actually made a difference in both the quantities of fertilizer used and the welfare of the farmers. Due to the fact that Nigeria is still using below recommended fertilizer quantities, the potential of applying more fertilizer is huge. Proper fertilizer usage can boost food production which will in turn affect farmers’ revenue positively.

Keywords: Fertilizer use rate, liberalization, agricultural transformation agenda