Farmers’ Perception and Practice of Soil Fertility Management and Conservation in the Era of Digital Soil Information Systems in Southwest Nigeria

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Sakiru O. Akinbode, Department of Economics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria
• Olusegun Folorunso, Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria
• Taiwo S. Olutoberu, Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria
• Florence A. Olowokere, Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria
• Muftau Adebayo, Safefood Africa Agroenterprise, Abeokuta Nigeria
• Sodeeq O. Azeez, Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria
• Sarafadeen G. Hammed, Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria
• Mutiu A. Busari, Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Nigeria

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2024

Journal Name

MDPI-Agriculture

Abstract

This study assessed the perception and use of digital applications for soil fertility management and conservation strategies among small-scale crop farmers in southwest Nigeria. A total of 376 farmers were randomly selected across the six southwest states. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The majority of the farmers relied on perception and other non-scientific approaches such as the appearance of weeds and performance of crops in the previous season to assess soil fertility. Only 1.1% and 0.3% of the farmers assessed soil fertility through soil tests and digital applications, respectively. Most farmers adopted bush fallowing and the use of inorganic fertilizers to improve soil fertility. Although 4.8% of the farmers indicated that they had digital applications on their mobile phones, only 2.9% claimed to have used these. More than half (56.4%) of the farmers stated that a lack of awareness of the existence of digital applications and internet-enabled telephones were the reasons they have not been able to use digital applications. The majority of the farmers (97.3%) indicated their willingness to embrace the use of new farm decision digital applications which could provide more information, especially on soil fertility, if introduced. More extensive services focusing on older, less literate farmers and farmers who hitherto did not belong to any farmers’ association are advocated for in order to encourage the use of digital applications and soil fertility management and conservation practices

Keywords

digital soil mapping, smallholder farmers, soil conservation, soil fertility, soil information systems

Grantee Name(s)

Muftau Adebayo

Type of Grant

Grant – AGRiDI

Thematic Area

ICTs Including Big Data and Artificial Intelligence

Funding Statement

The authors acknowledge the contributions of the extension agents in each of the six southwest states in Nigeria, who provided links between our survey team and the farmers during data collection.

Recommended Citation

Akinbode, S. O., Folorunso, O., Olutoberu, T. S., Olowokere, F. A., Adebayo, M., Azeez, S. O., Hammed, S. G., & Busari, M. A. (2024). Farmers’ Perception and Practice of Soil Fertility Management and Conservation in the Era of Digital Soil Information Systems in Southwest Nigeria. MDPI-Agriculture https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071182