Manure Management by Smallholder Farmers in the Kano Close-Settled Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

Manure is a key input to smallholder farming systems, especially in the semi-arid environment of West Africa where cost and availability limit the use of inorganic fertilizers. This paper considers manure management by farmers in an intensive integrated farming system in the Nigerian savanna. The paper reports farmers' indigenous knowledge concerning manure production, quality and application, chemical analysis of manure nutrient content and application rates of manure. The potential manure supply of the livestock population of the Kano close-settled zone is calculated and compared with application rates. Recommendations are made concerning methods for improving manure quality through changes in management practices.{Present address: School of Earth Sciences and Geography, Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames,

Sustainability under threat? The dynamics of environmental change and food production in peri‐urban Kano, northern Nigeria

“…The significance of animal manure in the nutrient-management strategies of farmers is well documented (Harris and Yusuf, 2001), but it is not clear whether supplies of manure in the Kano region will be able to keep pace with growing demand in the future. Stocking and Murnaghan (2001) point out that, by increasing inputs of manure, the effects of land degradation can be 'hidden', but production will continue at a cost.…”

“…Stocking and Murnaghan (2001) point out that, by increasing inputs of manure, the effects of land degradation can be 'hidden', but production will continue at a cost. As Harris and Yusuf (2001) reveal, although farmers appreciate the role that manure plays in maintaining soil fertility, resource pressures may not permit them to use manure optimally, and the high cost and erratic availability of chemical fertilizer often exclude it as a viable option.…”

Dynamic surface soil components of land and vegetation types in Kebbi State Nigeria

“…Colhoun and van de Geer, 1986). Ideally, addition of organic materials changes surface soil appearances by exchanging contact with natural surface soil particles under addition of soil formation process (Harris and Yusuf, 2001;Ghosh et al, 2010). This might have taken part in the transformation and genesis of some surface soil sites characterised as young anthropogeo-morphic condition in the study area (e.g.…”

Cattle manure increases soil weed population and species diversity in a semi-arid environment

“…The higher soil content of manure in summer compared to winter season could be due to more soil particles clinging on to hoofs of cattle since the soil was wettest in this rainy season. Differences in manure quality across villages were however not very large and were comparable with manures reported from other smallholder farming systems in similar agro-ecosystems elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa (Mugwira & Mukurumbira, 1986;Lupwayi et 01., 2000;Harris & Yusuf, 2001). Quality of animal feed is one of the major factors that influenced the quality of kraal manure in the study villages.…”