A multi-scale characterization approach was used to identify the major constraints to agricultural production and to describe the major production systems in the Sudan Savanna Zone of northern Nigeria. Relative emphasis was placed on the household-level characterization to have a better understanding of the land use system, farmers' constraints and opportunities, so as to better target agricultural technologies and interventions in this large agro-ecological zone. Large variations exist in agricultural management practices among villages and households in terms of access to resources, such as labour, fertilizers, livestock, farm equipment, and land. Intensive and extensive farming practices co-exist within the same villages and households. Results were also used to identify benchmark sites.

The study aimed at: (i)estimating the rates of adoption and application of inorganic fertilizer; and (ii)determining the farmer-and farm-characteristics conditioning the adoption of inorganic fertilizer in two selected States in the northwest zone of Nigeria, namely, Kano and Katsina States. A two-stage sampling procedure was adopted in the survey, First, two Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones were purposively sampled in each State on the basis of relative climate. In Kano State, Rano and Danbatta zones were chosen, while in Katsina State, Funtua and Ajiwa zones were selected. Second, 60 farmers were randomly selected from each of the four ADP zones giving a total sample size of 240. The results of the survey showed that the mean rates of adoption of inorganic fertilizer were 85.85% for Kano, 98.35% for Katsina, and 92.10% for both States. These rates of adoption were illustrative of a long history of exposure to fertilizers. The mean rates of application of inorganic fertilizers of 41.49kg ha-1 for Kano, 67.24kg ha-1 for Katsina and 54.36 kg ha-1 for both States were, however, short of the recommended nutrient levels for the staple food crops grown in the two States. The result of the analysis of the socioeconomic factors conditioning adoption of inorganic fertilizer showed that all the factors included in our model influenced the adoption of inorganic fertilizer, but there were locational differences in the significance of these factors. Recommendations made included: the complementary applications of inorganic and organic fertilizers; the adoption of integrated soil fertility management practices; training extension educators and other technical assistants to understand the factors conditioning adoption for more effective targeting and delivery of programmes; the education of the rural populace, encouraging membership of farmers' associations; the expansion of farm sizes; improved access to production credit; and the strengthening of existing extension systems.

A study to assess the economic and technical feasibility of chemical weed control method in maize (Zea mays L.) production was conducted during 1981 to 1983 cropping seasons. The results indicated that the use of herbicide reduced time required for hoe-weeding, delayed hoe-weeding and consequently reduced the labour demand during the months of June to August by 38%. A better weed control achieved on the herbicide-treated plots resulted in yield increases of 9%, 6% and 15% per ha in 1981, 1982 and 1983, respectively, compared with the control plots. Based on income returns and labour use per ha, herbicide technology was found superior to hoe-weeding alone.

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Farmers in a village in northern Nigeria grew six forage legumes as intercrops with maize in two seasons. Lablab purpurens gave the best yield and economic performance while Centrosema pubescens was more appreciated by the livestock as feed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd