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volume 46 issue 4 (december 2012) : 293-300

ECONOMICS OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN ABIA STATE OF NIGERIA

O
O.R. Iheke
P
P.O. Nto
C
C.O. Onyenorah
1Department of Agricultural Economics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

  • Submitted|

  • First Online |

  • doi

Cite article:- Iheke O.R., Nto P.O., Onyenorah C.O. (2025). ECONOMICS OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN ABIA STATE OF NIGERIA. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 46(4): 293-300. doi: .

ABSTRACT

Soil degradation and desertification are already severe issues in Sub-Saharan Africa especially Nigeria, where smaller size and resource-poor farmers follow extractive farming practices. This has led to the clarion call for environmental/soil conservation measures. This necessitated this study on the economics of soil conservation measures in Abia state of Nigeria.  Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of farmers practicing soil conservation, analyzed the cost structure of farms with respect to the level of investment in soil conservation, and the profitability of soil conservation strategies as well as determined the socio-economic factors that influence the level of investment in soil conservation strategies. Multi-stage purposive and random sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents used for the study. Data collected from 60 respondents using structured questionnaire and interview schedules were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution, percentages, means, profit analysis, and OLS regression analysis. Result of data analysis revealed that 45.16 percent, 23.24 percent and 31.60 percent of the total cost constitute variable, fixed and isolated conservation costs respectively, and a N41900 accruing from the farm operations per farmer.  The significant factors influencing investment in soil conservation measures were farm size, number of farm locations, years of formal education, extension contact, ownership status of farm land and farm income. It was recommended that policies that would grant the farmers access to more land and secure tenure should be put in place to enable them to take advantages of economies of scale and increase their investment in conservation. Also, efforts at increasing crop production and environmental conservation should involve policies that strengthen educating the farmer, especially agricultural education and conservation practices. In this guise, the extension system should be tailored to meet the information other felt needs of the farmers.

REFERENCES

  1. Aromolaran, A. B. (1998) “Economic Analysis of Soil Conservation Practices in South West Nigeria “Issues in African Rural Development” Monograph Series African Rural Social Science Research Network, WinRock international.
  2. Beinroth, F.H., H. Eswaran, P. F. Reich, and E. Van Den Berg (1994) Land related stresses in agroecosystems. In: Virmani, S. M., J.C. Katyal, H. Eswaran, and I.P. Abrol (eds.). Stressed Ecosystems and Sustainable Agriculture, eds. New Delhi: Oxford and IBH.
  3. Ehrenstein, O. (2002) “Crop residue mulching in tropical and semi-tropical countries: An evaluation of residue availability and other technologies implications”. Soil and Tillage Rese., 67:115-133.
  5. Eswaran, H., R. Lal and P.F. Reich (2001) Land degradation: an overview. In: Bridges, E.M., I.D. Hannam, L.R. Oldeman, F.W.T. Pening de Vries, S.J. Scherr, and S. Sompatpanit (eds.). Responses to Land Degradation. Proc. 2nd. International Conference on Land Degradation and Desertification, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Oxford Press, New Delhi, India.
  6. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) Official Gazette: Legal Notice on publication of the details of the breakdown of the National and State provisional totals 2006 Census. Government Notice Nr 21. Nr. 24. 94. Lagos, Nigeria: Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  7. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (1984) Guidelines for land evaluation for Rainfed Agriculture. FAO Soils Bulletin No. 52 FAO, Rome 237 pp.
  8. Food and Agriculture Organization (2005) Global Assessment of the Status of Human-Induced Soil Degradation. FAO, Rome
  9. Fournier, F. (1967) “Research on soil erosion and soil conservation in Africa”. African Soils, 12: 52-96.
  10. Greenland, D. J., and R. Lal (1977) Soil conservation and man­agement in the humid tropics, London: Wiley.
  11. Igbokwe, E. M. (1996) “A soil and water conservation system under threat. A visit to Maku, Nigeria”. In Sustaining the Soil - Indigenous soil and water conservation in Africa, Reij, C, I. Scoones, and C. Toulmin (eds.). London: Earthscan Publication. Pp 219-243.
  12. Igbozurike, U. M., D. U. U. Okali, and A. T. Salau (1989) Profile on Nigeria: Land Degradation. Report submitted to Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Lagos: Friedrich Ebert Foundation and Ibadan: Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team.
  13. Iheke, O. R. (2006) Gender and Resource Use Efficiency in Rice Production Systems in Abia State of Nigeria. MSc Thesis, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
  14. Iheke, O. R (2010) The impact of migrant remittances on efficiency and welfare of rural smallholder arable crop farm households in South Eastern Nigeria. Ph.D Dissertation, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
  15. Iheke, O. R. and R. N. Echebiri (2010) Rural land tenancy and resource use efficiency of cassava farmers in South Eastern Nigeria, Journal of Food and Fibre Production, 3 : 455-465.
  16. Iheke, O. R and J. C. Nwaru (2009) Gender, farm size and relative productivity of cassava farmers in Ohafia Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of rural sociology, 9 : 69-75.
  17. Jaja, J. S, E. C. Chukwuigwe and D. I. Ekine (1998) “Stimulating Sustainable Agricultural Development through Youth Mobilization Schemes: A Case of school-to- Land Programme in Rivers state, Nigeria” Sustainable Investment in Nigeria. Nwosu, A. C. and J. A. Mbanasor (eds) proceedings of the 13th Annual conference of Farm Management Association of Nigeria, Alphabet Nigeria Publishers, Owerri, pp 294-301
  18. Junge, B., R. Abaidoo, D. Chikoye, and K. Stahr (2008) Soil Conservation in Nigeria: Past and Present On-Station and On-Farm Initiatives. Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, USA
  19. Kayombo, B., and G. C. Mrema (1998) “Soil conservation and sustainability of agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa”. In R. Lal (ed.) Soil quality and agricultural sustainability, Chelsea, Michigan: Sleeping Bear Press.
  20. Krause, M. A., R. R. Deuson, T. G. Baker, P. V. Preckel, J. Lowenberg-DeBoer, K. C. Reddy and K. Maliki (1990) “Risk- Sharing Versus Low-cost Credit Systems for International Development”, American Journal of Economics, 72: 911-922
  21. Lal, R. (1976) “Soil erosion problems on an Alfisol in western Nigeria and their control”. IITA Monograph No. 1. Ibadan: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
  22. Lal, R. (1978) “Influence of within and between-row mulching on soil temperature, soil moisture, root development and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in a tropical soil”. J. Field Crops Res., 1: 127-139.
  23. Lal, R. (1998) “Soil erosion impact on agronomic productivity and environment quality”. Critical reviews in plant scie., 17: 319-46
  24. Lal, R. ( 2001) Soil Degradation by Erosion. Land Degradation and Development, 12: 519-539.
  25. Macours, K., A. de Janvry and E Sadoulet (2004) “Insecurity of Property Rights and Matching in the Tenancy Market” Working Series, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, John Hopkins University. No. 992.
  26. Nigerian Population Commission (NPC) (2006) 2006 Nigerian Census Figures. Nigerian Population Commission, Abuja.
  27. Nwaru J.C. (2001) “Stimulating, Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Farms through Sustainable Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria: Prospects and Questions, Olowu, T.A. (ed), Proceedings of the 7th National Conference of Agricu. Exten. Soc. Nigeria 19 - 22 August. Pp 19-27.
  28. Nwaru, J.C. (2004) Rural Credit Markets and Resource Use in Arable Crop Production in Imo State of Nigeria. PhD Thesis Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
  29. Obasi, P. C. (1991) Resource Use Efficiency in Food Crop Production: A Case Study of the Owerri Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria .M.Sc Thesis, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  30. Ologe, K. O. (1988) Soil erosion characteristics, processes and extent in the Nigerian savanna. In Proceedings of the Conference on Ecological Disasters in Nigeria: Soil Erosion. Owerri, September 1986, 26-47. Lagos: Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
  31. Quansah, C. (1990) “Soil erosion and conservation in the north­ern and upper regions of Ghana”. Topics in Applied Resource Management, 2: 135-157.
  32. Scherr, S. J. (1999) Soil Degradation: A Threat to Developing-Country Food Security by 2020? International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC
  33. Senjobi, B. A. (2007). Comparative Assessment of the Eff ect of Land Use and Land Type on Soil Degradation and Productivity in Ogun State, Nigeria. 161pp. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis submitted to the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
  34. Scoones, I., C. Reij, and C. Toulmin (1996) Sustaining the soil: indig­enous soil and water conservation in Africa. London: Earthscan Publications.
  35. Stamp, L. D. (1938) “Land utilization and soil erosion in Nigeria”. Geographical Review, 28: 32-45.
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Indian Journal of Agricultural Research
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    volume 46 issue 4 (december 2012) : 293-300

    ECONOMICS OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN ABIA STATE OF NIGERIA

    O
    O.R. Iheke
    P
    P.O. Nto
    C
    C.O. Onyenorah
    1Department of Agricultural Economics Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike

    • Submitted|

    • First Online |

    • doi

    Cite article:- Iheke O.R., Nto P.O., Onyenorah C.O. (2025). ECONOMICS OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN ABIA STATE OF NIGERIA. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 46(4): 293-300. doi: .

    ABSTRACT

    Soil degradation and desertification are already severe issues in Sub-Saharan Africa especially Nigeria, where smaller size and resource-poor farmers follow extractive farming practices. This has led to the clarion call for environmental/soil conservation measures. This necessitated this study on the economics of soil conservation measures in Abia state of Nigeria.  Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of farmers practicing soil conservation, analyzed the cost structure of farms with respect to the level of investment in soil conservation, and the profitability of soil conservation strategies as well as determined the socio-economic factors that influence the level of investment in soil conservation strategies. Multi-stage purposive and random sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents used for the study. Data collected from 60 respondents using structured questionnaire and interview schedules were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution, percentages, means, profit analysis, and OLS regression analysis. Result of data analysis revealed that 45.16 percent, 23.24 percent and 31.60 percent of the total cost constitute variable, fixed and isolated conservation costs respectively, and a N41900 accruing from the farm operations per farmer.  The significant factors influencing investment in soil conservation measures were farm size, number of farm locations, years of formal education, extension contact, ownership status of farm land and farm income. It was recommended that policies that would grant the farmers access to more land and secure tenure should be put in place to enable them to take advantages of economies of scale and increase their investment in conservation. Also, efforts at increasing crop production and environmental conservation should involve policies that strengthen educating the farmer, especially agricultural education and conservation practices. In this guise, the extension system should be tailored to meet the information other felt needs of the farmers.

    REFERENCES

    1. Aromolaran, A. B. (1998) “Economic Analysis of Soil Conservation Practices in South West Nigeria “Issues in African Rural Development” Monograph Series African Rural Social Science Research Network, WinRock international.
    2. Beinroth, F.H., H. Eswaran, P. F. Reich, and E. Van Den Berg (1994) Land related stresses in agroecosystems. In: Virmani, S. M., J.C. Katyal, H. Eswaran, and I.P. Abrol (eds.). Stressed Ecosystems and Sustainable Agriculture, eds. New Delhi: Oxford and IBH.
    3. Ehrenstein, O. (2002) “Crop residue mulching in tropical and semi-tropical countries: An evaluation of residue availability and other technologies implications”. Soil and Tillage Rese., 67:115-133.
    5. Eswaran, H., R. Lal and P.F. Reich (2001) Land degradation: an overview. In: Bridges, E.M., I.D. Hannam, L.R. Oldeman, F.W.T. Pening de Vries, S.J. Scherr, and S. Sompatpanit (eds.). Responses to Land Degradation. Proc. 2nd. International Conference on Land Degradation and Desertification, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Oxford Press, New Delhi, India.
    6. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) Official Gazette: Legal Notice on publication of the details of the breakdown of the National and State provisional totals 2006 Census. Government Notice Nr 21. Nr. 24. 94. Lagos, Nigeria: Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    7. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (1984) Guidelines for land evaluation for Rainfed Agriculture. FAO Soils Bulletin No. 52 FAO, Rome 237 pp.
    8. Food and Agriculture Organization (2005) Global Assessment of the Status of Human-Induced Soil Degradation. FAO, Rome
    9. Fournier, F. (1967) “Research on soil erosion and soil conservation in Africa”. African Soils, 12: 52-96.
    10. Greenland, D. J., and R. Lal (1977) Soil conservation and man­agement in the humid tropics, London: Wiley.
    11. Igbokwe, E. M. (1996) “A soil and water conservation system under threat. A visit to Maku, Nigeria”. In Sustaining the Soil - Indigenous soil and water conservation in Africa, Reij, C, I. Scoones, and C. Toulmin (eds.). London: Earthscan Publication. Pp 219-243.
    12. Igbozurike, U. M., D. U. U. Okali, and A. T. Salau (1989) Profile on Nigeria: Land Degradation. Report submitted to Commonwealth Secretariat, London. Lagos: Friedrich Ebert Foundation and Ibadan: Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team.
    13. Iheke, O. R. (2006) Gender and Resource Use Efficiency in Rice Production Systems in Abia State of Nigeria. MSc Thesis, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
    14. Iheke, O. R (2010) The impact of migrant remittances on efficiency and welfare of rural smallholder arable crop farm households in South Eastern Nigeria. Ph.D Dissertation, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
    15. Iheke, O. R. and R. N. Echebiri (2010) Rural land tenancy and resource use efficiency of cassava farmers in South Eastern Nigeria, Journal of Food and Fibre Production, 3 : 455-465.
    16. Iheke, O. R and J. C. Nwaru (2009) Gender, farm size and relative productivity of cassava farmers in Ohafia Agricultural Zone of Abia State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of rural sociology, 9 : 69-75.
    17. Jaja, J. S, E. C. Chukwuigwe and D. I. Ekine (1998) “Stimulating Sustainable Agricultural Development through Youth Mobilization Schemes: A Case of school-to- Land Programme in Rivers state, Nigeria” Sustainable Investment in Nigeria. Nwosu, A. C. and J. A. Mbanasor (eds) proceedings of the 13th Annual conference of Farm Management Association of Nigeria, Alphabet Nigeria Publishers, Owerri, pp 294-301
    18. Junge, B., R. Abaidoo, D. Chikoye, and K. Stahr (2008) Soil Conservation in Nigeria: Past and Present On-Station and On-Farm Initiatives. Soil and Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, USA
    19. Kayombo, B., and G. C. Mrema (1998) “Soil conservation and sustainability of agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa”. In R. Lal (ed.) Soil quality and agricultural sustainability, Chelsea, Michigan: Sleeping Bear Press.
    20. Krause, M. A., R. R. Deuson, T. G. Baker, P. V. Preckel, J. Lowenberg-DeBoer, K. C. Reddy and K. Maliki (1990) “Risk- Sharing Versus Low-cost Credit Systems for International Development”, American Journal of Economics, 72: 911-922
    21. Lal, R. (1976) “Soil erosion problems on an Alfisol in western Nigeria and their control”. IITA Monograph No. 1. Ibadan: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
    22. Lal, R. (1978) “Influence of within and between-row mulching on soil temperature, soil moisture, root development and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in a tropical soil”. J. Field Crops Res., 1: 127-139.
    23. Lal, R. (1998) “Soil erosion impact on agronomic productivity and environment quality”. Critical reviews in plant scie., 17: 319-46
    24. Lal, R. ( 2001) Soil Degradation by Erosion. Land Degradation and Development, 12: 519-539.
    25. Macours, K., A. de Janvry and E Sadoulet (2004) “Insecurity of Property Rights and Matching in the Tenancy Market” Working Series, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, John Hopkins University. No. 992.
    26. Nigerian Population Commission (NPC) (2006) 2006 Nigerian Census Figures. Nigerian Population Commission, Abuja.
    27. Nwaru J.C. (2001) “Stimulating, Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Farms through Sustainable Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in Nigeria: Prospects and Questions, Olowu, T.A. (ed), Proceedings of the 7th National Conference of Agricu. Exten. Soc. Nigeria 19 - 22 August. Pp 19-27.
    28. Nwaru, J.C. (2004) Rural Credit Markets and Resource Use in Arable Crop Production in Imo State of Nigeria. PhD Thesis Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
    29. Obasi, P. C. (1991) Resource Use Efficiency in Food Crop Production: A Case Study of the Owerri Agricultural Zone of Imo State, Nigeria .M.Sc Thesis, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
    30. Ologe, K. O. (1988) Soil erosion characteristics, processes and extent in the Nigerian savanna. In Proceedings of the Conference on Ecological Disasters in Nigeria: Soil Erosion. Owerri, September 1986, 26-47. Lagos: Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
    31. Quansah, C. (1990) “Soil erosion and conservation in the north­ern and upper regions of Ghana”. Topics in Applied Resource Management, 2: 135-157.
    32. Scherr, S. J. (1999) Soil Degradation: A Threat to Developing-Country Food Security by 2020? International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC
    33. Senjobi, B. A. (2007). Comparative Assessment of the Eff ect of Land Use and Land Type on Soil Degradation and Productivity in Ogun State, Nigeria. 161pp. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis submitted to the Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
    34. Scoones, I., C. Reij, and C. Toulmin (1996) Sustaining the soil: indig­enous soil and water conservation in Africa. London: Earthscan Publications.
    35. Stamp, L. D. (1938) “Land utilization and soil erosion in Nigeria”. Geographical Review, 28: 32-45.
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