Adoption of agricultural land management technologies by smallholder farmers in the Jos - Plateau, Nigeria | |
| Author | Yila, Othniel Mintang |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.RD-09-04 |
| Subject(s) | Land degradation Control Nigeria Jos - Plateau Land use, Rural Management Nigeria Jos - Plateau |
| Note | A submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. RD-09-04 |
| Abstract | The Jos Plateau makes up a major part of agricultural land in Nigeria. However, the Plateau has been experiencing declining soil fertility and severe soil erosion due to continuous cultivation and other factors. As a result, agricultural productivity has declined. The aim of this study was to understand the adoption of land management technologies among smallholder farmers in the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. With a view of drawing policy recommendations conducive to promoting land management technologies. Information was collected both from primary and secondary sources. Primary information was collected through a household survey of 150 households, institutional survey, observation, focused group discussions, key informants interview and reconnaissance survey. Secondary information was collected from relevant government offices, NGOs, books, journals, maps, and reports. Collected information was analyzed through qualitative and quantitative techniques including analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression Findings reveal that farmers have in depth, but informal and empirically derived knowledge about the status of their farmlands. It is clear from the study that farmers in the Jos Plateau have a well-defined and comprehensive set of indicators that they use to classify and assess the status and fertility of their soils. This is evident from the number, diversity and descriptive detail of the indicators identified in our study. Although farmers are often described as practicing short-term strategies and having only short term views regarding soil fertility, the study indicates that this is not the full story. Indeed, the number of indicators identified which were medium or long term in nature suggests that farmers do have a significant long-term perspective. This study found that in order to control or even to revert the adverse impact of soil erosion and to maintain soil fertility, smallholder farmers in the Jos Plateau have adopted an array of several biological and structural land management technologies, some of them being indigenous, others induced or introduced by external agents. But, perhaps more important than the technologies themselves, it is the extent of use of those technologies that depends on the inherent characteristics of the technologies and resources available at farmers’ disposal. Four technologies namely chemical fertilizers, FYM, intercropping and crop rotation were found to be most popular technologies among the farmers. On factors influencing adoption of land management technologies, the results of the analysis using multiple linear regressions revealed four variables, namely, extension service, agricultural labor force, accelerated soil erosion, and out-migration explaining nearly 90% variation in adoption of land management technologies. All these variables except out-migration have positive influence on adoption of land management technologies. The study found that several line agencies and NGO’s are providing training, credit and extension services to farmers. The analysis of services provided by these institutions indicated that they could not meet farmers’ expectation owing to weak technical and financial capability and uncoordinated activities. Furthermore, on user groups, it was found that there are seven in the study area. These groups have been involved in some small-scale land management activities in collaboration with line agencies and NGOs. However, the efforts made by user groups are erratic and they are not systematically integrated in land management. v To alleviate the problem of the ongoing land degradation and inadequate management practices, the suggested policy recommendations includes strengthening of support services and facilities through improving the capability and effectiveness of the extension service, promotion of farmer to farmer extension, promotion of less labour intensive land management technologies, building of local institutions, efficient market and credit services, and adoption of environmentally suitable and economically sustainable land management practices |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. RD-09-04 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thapa, Gopal B. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Routray, Jayant K. ;Shivakoti, Ganesh P. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |