Farmers' knowledge and management of spatial soil and crop growth variability in Niger, West Africa

Abstract

A household survey, combined with an extensive literature search of baseline studies, complemented on-station research on spatial soil and crop growth variability with a farmer's viewpoint. Farmers explained spatial variability in crop growth in terms of differences in soil types, soil fertility and degradation, as well as their cultivation and management practices. Farmers counteract spatial crop growth variability by within-field fallow; kraaling; spot applications of manure, crop residuals and household waste; by internationally moving their settlements; and by exploiting the micro-environmental differences around specific tree and shrub species.