Assessment of the use of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Practices among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study assessed the adoption and utilization of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices among smallholder maize farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with specific focus on: (i) determining the effect of households' socio-economic factors on farmers' uptake and use of ISFM technologies; and (ii) ascertaining the various soil fertility management strategies employed by smallholder farmers. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 300 respondents across six communities in three Local Government Areas (Lafia, Doma, and Nasarawa Eggon). Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and a 5-point Likert scale. The logistic regression results showed that age (p=0.022), education (p=0.001), annual income (p=0.032), extension contact (p=0.005), and association membership (p=0.033) significantly influenced ISFM adoption. Regarding soil fertility management strategies, chemical fertilizer use dominated at 89%, followed by combined organic-inorganic application (81.7%) and crop rotation (78%). The study concludes that ISFM adoption is shaped by socio-economic and institutional factors, with fragmented adoption of practices characterized by heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers while underutilizing complementary soil health practices. Strengthening extension systems, improving input accessibility, enhancing farmer capacity through targeted training, and promoting integrated approaches that combine organic and inorganic nutrient sources are recommended to promote sustainable soil fertility management among smallholder maize farmers in the study area.
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Introduction
Agriculture remains the backbone of many developing economies, and its role in food security, poverty alleviation, and economic growth has been emphasized in countless policy documents and academic works over the decades. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), smallholder farming systems dominate agricultural production, accounting for nearly 80 percent of food supply (Ademola & Musa, 2021). However, the sector faces multiple structural challenges, among which soil fertility degradation stands out as one of the most critical. Declining soil quality threatens not only crop productivity but also the livelihoods of millions who depend on agriculture for subsistence and income. The Food and Agriculture Organization has repeatedly stressed that soil nutrient depletion is a fundamental constraint undermining agricultural resilience in SSA (FAO, 2020).
Maize, one of the most widely cultivated cereals in Africa, has been particularly affected by soil nutrient depletion, with yields in many regions stagnating at 1.5–2.5 tons per hectare against a potential of 5–7 tons under improved soil fertility management (Kwara & Yusuf, 2020; Yakubu & Ibrahim, 2024). Despite the availability of innovative approaches such as Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), which emphasizes the combined use of organic and inorganic inputs alongside good agronomic practices, adoption across Africa has remained uneven due to knowledge gaps, institutional weaknesses, and resource constraints (Ajayi & Usman, 2021).
Conclusion
This study assessed the adoption and utilization of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices among smallholder maize farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with specific focus on determining the effect of socio-economic factors on ISFM uptake and ascertaining the various soil fertility management strategies employed by farmers. The study concludes that while farmers adopt multiple fertility management practices, adoption remains fragmented, with chemical fertilizer use dominating at 89%, followed by combined organic and inorganic fertilizer application (81.7%), and crop rotation (78%). However, practices essential for long-term soil health such as soil testing (25.3%) and biochar application (18%) remain critically low, indicating a gap between current practices and comprehensive ISFM principles.
The regression analysis confirmed that age (p=0.022), education (p=0.001), annual income (p=0.032), extension contact (p=0.005), and association membership (p=0.033) significantly influence ISFM adoption, with younger, educated, wealthier farmers possessing strong institutional ties being most likely to adopt integrated soil management approaches.
Based on the findings of the study, here are well-structured, evidence-based recommendations:
1. Given the predominance of middle-aged farmers, moderate-to-large household sizes, diverse educational backgrounds, and limited income levels, ISFM promotion strategies should be context-specific and farmer-sensitive. Extension approaches should emphasize local languages, hands-on demonstrations, and participatory learning to accommodate farmers with low formal education.
2. Since education, income, extension contact, and association membership significantly influenced ISFM adoption, policies should prioritize human capital development and institutional support. Adult education initiatives, farmer field schools, and continuous capacity-building programs should be strengthened to improve farmers' understanding of ISFM technologies. Access to affordable credit and income-enhancing opportunities should be expanded to reduce financial barriers to acquiring complementary inputs.
3. Given the coexistence of traditional and improved soil fertility practices, ISFM promotion should emphasize the complementarity of organic and inorganic inputs rather than treating them as substitutes. Training programs should focus on appropriate combinations of organic manure, crop residues, inorganic fertilizers, and improved maize varieties to enhance soil productivity and sustainability.
4. The critically low adoption of soil testing (25.3%) calls for urgent intervention to establish accessible and affordable soil testing facilities. Mobile soil testing laboratories, public-private partnerships with agro-dealers, and simplified soil testing kits should be deployed to enable farmers to make informed nutrient management decisions.
References
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