DETERMINANTS OF THE ADOPTION OF FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION AMONG FARMERS IN SOUTHERN PART OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of farmers’ adoption of farm management practices (FMPs) that enhances sustainable crop production and ultimately facilitates food security in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. A total of 1137 registered members of Fertilizer Farmers Association (FFA) during the 2016/2017 farming season were identified in which 286 farmers were purposively sampled for the study. Data were elicited through questionnaire administration. Descriptive statistics and logit regression were adopted in the analyses of the data. The results of the study showed that crop rotations, mixed cropping, use of inorganic/organic fertilizer, traditional tillage system, and minimum tillage/mulching were the common FMPs used by farmers. However, intermittent fallow system and surface irrigation practice were not popular because of poor infrastructural facilities. Similarly, the most common FMPs adopted in Katugal was minimum tillage/mulching, surface irrigation system in Madakiya, mixed cropping was very common in Mailafiya and Zankam, while intermittent short fallow in Kurmin Sara. Age, family size, land tenure, farm size and distance of plot from homestead had influenced significantly on the choice of FMPs. Also, the major determinants of farmers’ adoption for FMPs were farming experience (75.9%) and soil fertility status of the farmlands (68.9%). The study therefore, recommends the revitalization of abandoned irrigation infrastructures in Kagoro and Madakiya, and improves the popularity of traditional tillage and soil mulching among the Southern Kaduna farmers to achieve sustainable crop production and food security.