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Farmers’ Perception and Practice of Soil Fertility Management and Conservation in the Era of Digital Soil Information Systems in Southwest Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Sakiru O. Akinbode

    (Department of Economics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria)

  • Olusegun Folorunso

    (Department of Computer Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria)

  • Taiwo S. Olutoberu

    (Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria)

  • Florence A. Olowokere

    (Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria)

  • Muftau Adebayo

    (Safefood Africa Agroenterprise, Abeokuta 110123, Nigeria)

  • Sodeeq O. Azeez

    (Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria)

  • Sarafadeen G. Hammed

    (Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria)

  • Mutiu A. Busari

    (Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 111101, Nigeria)

Abstract

This study assessed the perception and use of digital applications for soil fertility management and conservation strategies among small-scale crop farmers in southwest Nigeria. A total of 376 farmers were randomly selected across the six southwest states. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The majority of the farmers relied on perception and other non-scientific approaches such as the appearance of weeds and performance of crops in the previous season to assess soil fertility. Only 1.1% and 0.3% of the farmers assessed soil fertility through soil tests and digital applications, respectively. Most farmers adopted bush fallowing and the use of inorganic fertilizers to improve soil fertility. Although 4.8% of the farmers indicated that they had digital applications on their mobile phones, only 2.9% claimed to have used these. More than half (56.4%) of the farmers stated that a lack of awareness of the existence of digital applications and internet-enabled telephones were the reasons they have not been able to use digital applications. The majority of the farmers (97.3%) indicated their willingness to embrace the use of new farm decision digital applications which could provide more information, especially on soil fertility, if introduced. More extensive services focusing on older, less literate farmers and farmers who hitherto did not belong to any farmers’ association are advocated for in order to encourage the use of digital applications and soil fertility management and conservation practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Sakiru O. Akinbode & Olusegun Folorunso & Taiwo S. Olutoberu & Florence A. Olowokere & Muftau Adebayo & Sodeeq O. Azeez & Sarafadeen G. Hammed & Mutiu A. Busari, 2024. "Farmers’ Perception and Practice of Soil Fertility Management and Conservation in the Era of Digital Soil Information Systems in Southwest Nigeria," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:7:p:1182-:d:1438012
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pamellah A. Asule & Collins Musafiri & George Nyabuga & Wambui Kiai & Felix K. Ngetich & Christoph Spurk, 2023. "Determinants of Simultaneous Use of Soil Fertility Information Sources among Smallholder Farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-23, August.
    2. David Miles & James Sefton, 2021. "House Prices and Growth with Fixed Land Supply," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 131(636), pages 1815-1848.
    3. BenYishay, Ariel & Mobarak, A. Mushfiq, 2013. "Communicating with Farmers through Social Networks," Working Papers 121, Yale University, Department of Economics.
    4. Hope Mwanake & Bano Mehdi-Schulz & Karsten Schulz & Nzula Kitaka & Luke O. Olang & Jakob Lederer & Mathew Herrnegger, 2023. "Agricultural Practices and Soil and Water Conservation in the Transboundary Region of Kenya and Uganda: Farmers’ Perspectives of Current Soil Erosion," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-32, July.
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