ABSTRACT
This study
investigated the effect of soil management practices on the poverty status of
smallholder farmers in Enugu State. Multi-stage random sampling technique was
used to select 180 smallholder farmers. Specifically, the study identified the
types of soil management practices among small holder farmers; estimated the
use level of soil management practices by smallholder farmers; estimated the
determinants of soil management practice use levels among the smallholder
farmers; estimated the indices of high and low users of soil management
practices and compared the poverty status of the two groups; analyzed the
determinants of SMP and other factors on
the poverty status of the smallholder farmers and identified the constraints to
the use of soil management practices by the farmers. Data collected from the
farmers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, tobit, logit, FGT model and
z-test. Result showed that the mean age of the farmers was 45 years implying
that the farmers were still in their active age, majority of the farmers (65%)
were male while about 66% of them were married. The mean household size was 8
persons whereas, 94% of the farmers were literate. The result of the
distribution of the smallholder farmers based on types of soil management
practices showed that all the farmers in the area had adequate knowledge of
organic manure and multiple cropping. It also showed that the mean use level of
soil management practices was 47%. Gender, education, farm income, extension
contact, farm size, cost of land improvement practices and farming experience
were significant factors affecting the use levels of soil management practices
in Enugu State at 1%, 1%, 10%, 1%, 1%, 10% and 1%, respectively. The result of
the classification of use levels of soil management practices of the
smallholder farmers showed that majority of the smallholder farmers (59%) had
low use level of soil management practice compared to about 40% who had high
use level of soil management practice. The result of poverty status showed the
mean per capita consumption among the farm households was ₦560.30 ($ 1.47)
while the poverty line was ₦373.55 per person, per day. Result also showed that
there was a significant difference between poverty status of the soil
management practices among high and low use levels of smallholder farmers. On
the other hand, age, education, access to credit, household size, net farm
income, and soil management practices were the determinants of poverty status
at 1%, 1%, 10%, 1%, 5% and 1% alpha levels, respectively. Insufficient funds,
land tenure system, inadequate extension services, natural hazard, high
interest rate and high cost of some of the practices were the constraints to
the use of soil management practices in the study area. The study recommended appropriate
policy measures should be targeted at increasing the educational levels of the
rural farmers and also provide extension support services for increased crop
production and poverty alleviation. Also, appropriate government policies
should be directed towards encouraging the rural farmers to embrace the use of
improved soil management techniques/practices for increased output and poverty
reduction.
DORIS, N (2023). Effects Of Soil Management Practices On Poverty Status Of Small Holder Farmers In Enugu State, Nigeria. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Nov 24, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effects-of-soil-management-practices-on-poverty-status-of-small-holder-farmers-in-enugu-state-nigeria-7-2
NDIDIAMAKA, DORIS. "Effects Of Soil Management Practices On Poverty Status Of Small Holder Farmers In Enugu State, Nigeria" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 13 Feb. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effects-of-soil-management-practices-on-poverty-status-of-small-holder-farmers-in-enugu-state-nigeria-7-2. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
NDIDIAMAKA, DORIS. "Effects Of Soil Management Practices On Poverty Status Of Small Holder Farmers In Enugu State, Nigeria". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 13 Feb. 2023. Web. 24 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effects-of-soil-management-practices-on-poverty-status-of-small-holder-farmers-in-enugu-state-nigeria-7-2 >.
NDIDIAMAKA, DORIS. "Effects Of Soil Management Practices On Poverty Status Of Small Holder Farmers In Enugu State, Nigeria" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2023). Accessed 24 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/effects-of-soil-management-practices-on-poverty-status-of-small-holder-farmers-in-enugu-state-nigeria-7-2