Determinants of Farmers’ Preference for Sustainable Land Management Practices for Maize and Cassava Production in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The need to focus policies on enhancing sustainable land management in Africa has become pertinent. This study analysed the determinants of farmers’ adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices (SLMPs) in crop production in Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. The SLMPs studied included Structural and Mechanical Erosion Control, Agronomic Practices (AP), Cultivation Practices (CPs) and Soil Management Practices (SMPs). Data from 338 farmers were analysed using descriptive statistics and logit model. Farmers had average of nine years of formal education, 45 per cent participated in cooperatives, 91 per cent accessed extension services, 55 per cent had land tenancy security, 81 per cent use AP more and 47 per cent cultivated undulating farmlands vulnerable to degradation. Farmers’ level of education and their participation in cooperatives positively influenced their adoption of the SLMPs. Overall results showed that the adoption of SLMPs can be enhanced by the development of policy arrangement that will increase farmers’ literacy and encourage them to participate more in cooperatives.