Perceived effect of soil erosion on maize production in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the perceived effects of soil erosion on maize production in Imo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study ascertained the  causes of soil erosion as perceived by maize farmers; ascertained the perceived effects of soil erosion on maize farmers’ production; identified the control measure used by maize farmers in coping with the effects of soil erosion on their production and identified  constraints to the use of soil erosion control measures. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 180 maize farmers.  Data were collected using structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and Ordinary Least Square (OLS)  regression analysis. Results showed that maize farmers perceived causes of soil erosion to include: excessive/heavy rainfall and flooding  (x̄ = 3.107), overgrazing ((x̄ = 2.96), deforestation/ destruction of vegetation ( x̄ = 2.80), blocked or poor drainage system ( x̄ = 2.77 among  others. Farmers perceived the effects of soil erosion as decline in maize yield when soil erodes (x̄ = 3.46); food insecurity and poverty (x̄ =  3.22); reduction in land for agricultural activities (x̄ = 3.32) among others. Maize farmers identified soil erosion control measure as filling  the affected area with farm residue (86.67%), raising ridges to prevent water from running through to the farm (76.11%), building and  structures should not obstruct water ways (68.33%), implementing cover crops, mulching, and cover crop (61.67%). Maize farmers were  constrained to the use of soil control measure such as inadequate funding (78.89%), high cost of some erosion measures control  (73.33%), lack of incentive from governments (70.00%), difficulty in acquiring land for forest establishment (68.89%). The result shows that  age, marital status, level of education, household size, monthly farm income and extension contact influenced the maize farmers  perceived effects of soil erosion on their maize production, these were significant at 1% probability level. The study concludes that there  was prevalence of soil erosion in Imo and maize farmers were experiencing constrains in reducing soil erosion effects on their maize  production. The study recommends among others that maize farmers should judiciously use their cooperative association by sharing  relevant information in minimizing the effects of soil erosion on their farm land.