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Farmers’ Perception of Soil Erosion Control Measures: Implications for Sustainable Development in Agriculture and Environment in South East, Nigeria



Author(s)

Simeon Okpoto Eze and Esther Etenmugonwa Osahon

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7391/2016.03.007

The study investigated farmers’ perception of soil erosion control measures and highlighted implications for sustainable development in agriculture and environment in southeast, Nigeria. Purposive, multistage and random sampling techniques were employed in selecting a sample size of two hundred and forty (240) respondents. Structured interview schedule was used for data collection, while percentages, mean ratings and factor analysis techniques were employed for analysis. The findings show that majority (64.6%) of farmers were within the ages of 40-59, while majority (67.9%) had either FSLC or WASCE/SSCE/GCE/OL qualifications. The farmers reported that the major soil erosion control measures used were strip cropping (M = 4.8) and making of ridges against slopes (M = 4.7). The study reported that poor group affinity, inadequate institutional support and inadequate technical knowhow were constraints to soil erosion control in southeast, Nigeria. The study highlighted implications for sustainable development in agriculture and environment on organizational overhaul in extension, participatory extension policy on farmers groups and institutional re-orientation and synergy between Universities, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Local Government Councils. In conclusion, success in soil erosion control and sustainable development in agriculture and environment in southeast, Nigeria depends on the extent issues raised and implications highlighted can be addressed. The study recommends improved funding support to extension, participatory extension training and contacts with farmers’ groups and groups’ resources management. 

Farmers, erosion control, sustainable development, Nigeria