Environmental Degradation, Improved Technologies Utilization and Output among Rain-Fed and Irrigated Sugarcane Farmers in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

In the northern part of Nigeria, desertification has grossly affected water available and land carrying capacity for both pastureland and farmlands. Using primary data collected in a three-stage purposive sampling procedure from a total of 231 sugarcane farmers, we accessed technology utilization in Rain-Fed Farming System (RFFS) and Irrigated Farming System (IRFS) among sugarcane producing farmers in Bauchi State. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Z-statistics, and Kendall’s concordance statistics. The farmers mean age was 43 years with an average of 7 years of formal education. About, 56.1% of the farmers in RFFS utilized light texture soil with good drainage, 69.9% raised sugarcane nursery during land preparation, 71.5% utilized Autumn planting while 76.4% utilized weeding by hoe; 31.7% applied NPK fertilizer at 112kg(N), 25kg(P), 48kg(K) rate/acre; and 64.2% utilized manual harvesting. Comparatively, 62.0% of farmers in IRFS utilized ploughing depth of 30cm during land preparation, 59.3% utilized combination of cultural and chemical methods of weeding, 74.8% utilized application of water once at every 7 days during growing phase of sugarcane, 31.7% applies inorganic fertilizer and 54.6% utilized early harvesting (10 – 11 months) of sugarcane plantation. The major constraint sugar cane production in the study area includes inadequate capital and access to credit facilities. The study recommends more education and sensitization for sugarcane farmers on how to appropriately employ improved technologies to optimize their production outcomes.