Farm level analysis of investment behaviours in soil conservation and erosion control practices in the ecologically vulnerable communities in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the determinants of farm-level soil conservation investment behaviours in Southeast Nigeria. A probit econometric model was used to analyze data obtained from 480 randomly selected farm households from 12 erosion-prone communities in the region. The results show that younger farmers aged between 18-44 years cultivating at least 0.7 ha of land over which they have control in terms of allocation and usage had higher probabilities of investing in the conservation practices compared to the older farmers. Investment decisions increased with increased farm households' own liquidity, off-farm income, knowledge of the practices through extension contacts, level of formal education, ownership and control over cultivated lands, length of land lease, membership in farmers' associations, and farm sizes greater than the mean farm size of 0.7 ha. But insecurity of land tenure generally increased farmers' risk of appropriation of input resources and decreased investments in the practices, especially for the female farmers who do not have title to land in the area. Investments in the practices also decreased with increased family sizes and the erosion-induced land scarcity conditions in the region. The study confirms the importance of recognizing the heterogeneity of the farming population not only in terms of the biophysical conditions of their farms but also the socioeconomic and demographic conditions under which they operate. Extension efforts in Southeast Nigeria should therefore target the younger farmers and promote projects aimed at developing off-farm enterprises, since these positively influence household liquidity and investments in conservation practices.