CROP Rotation and Diversity Practices among Rural Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Crop rotation has been identified as a practice that enhances soil fertility and healthy foods, but its awareness and adoption among rural farmers of Ebonyi State, who need the knowledge of best agronomic practices owing to the high cost of fertilizer, remain unknown. To bridge this gap, 180 rural farmers were selected for this study using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data for the study was obtained using a structured interview schedule, and was analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics, chi-square, and probit regression. The results showed that the mean age of the farmers was 55, and the majority of them (72.22%) were males. However, the majority (87.78%) of the rural farmers were not aware of crop rotation and diversity practices, and a significant difference existed in the average mean annual income of the same land size for adopters (N886, 848.68) and non-adopters (N455, 055.60). The probit regression result showed that marital status, educational level, farm size, cropping system practiced, and access to extension services by the respondents increased the likelihood of farmers' adoption of crop rotation and diversity practices. Intercropping was used more by farmers, and it was found that more extension support and access to education, among other things, would make it more likely that rural farmers would use the method.

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“…This suggests that farmers are exposed to information on CSA practices, input delivery, and credit access, resulting in increased adoption. These findings conform to (Anik et al, 2021;Aryal et al, 2018;Danso-Abbeam, 2022;Igberi et al, 2022;Obeng, E., A. Weber, 2014), who reported the positive influence of extension services on minimum tillage, crop rotation, intercropping, agroforestry, and drought-tolerant varieties across different countries. On the other hand, Tufa et al (2023) found that extension services did not have a significant relationship with minimum tillage, and they attributed it to poor delivery services from extension agents and farmers' lack of confidence in their skills.…”