An Assessment of Farmers Use of Soil Survey Information in Crop Production and Local Classification of Soils, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed farmer’s use of soil survey information in crop production and local classification of soils, Niger state. Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents within the three agricultural zones of the state for the study. Data for the study were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. The result revealed 99.2 % of the respondents know about soil information with 64.2 % introduced to soil information by extension agents. Majority of the respondents were not aware of the importance and use of soil information, with the mean level of awareness of farmers towards soil was low with average of 1.78. Majority of the respondents agreed with the notion that soil information can increase productivity and lead to sustainable agriculture, with the mean level of agreement revealed to be high with an average of 3.64. The respondents disagreed with the notion that soil information is needed for only large-scale farming. The study also revealed that 66.7 % of the respondents locally classify their soils in the study area, using topsoil physical characteristics such as soil colour, soil weight and feel as indicators for classification. The respondents were not aware of the importance of soil information, but are willing to adopt the use of soil information, if more awareness programs and reduced cost of soil analysis are in place. The respondents classify soils locally but their classification lacks depth, with need for in-cooperation of scientific classification, which can lead to a more accurate local classification of the soil