Effectiveness of Crop Farmers' Use of Indigenous Knowledge on Land Degradation Control Practices in Imo State, Nigeria.

Abstract:

This study analyzed the effectiveness of the crop farmers’ use of indigenous knowledge on land degradation control practices in Imo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of 180 crop farmers for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire while analysis of the data was done using mean, percentages, and the multiple regression analysis. Crop farmers perceived zero tillage to help in conserving soil texture (x̄=3.52), replanting of deforested areas enables to maintain vegetative cover (x̄=3.45), use of organic manure to improved soil’s organic matter contents (x̄=3.42) and controlling both water and wind erosions by making ridges (x̄=3.30) and rain water harvesting (x̄=3.10) as highly effective in controlling soil degradation. Age, marital status, educational level, household size, monthly income, membership of association, extension contact and farm size) had a significant influence on their perceived effectiveness of use of the indigenous knowledge on land degradation control. The major constraints faced by crop farmers were inadequate fund to practices land degradation control practices (99.44%) and limited availability of farmland (98.31%), poor extension contact (86.44%), poor knowledge and education of land degradation control processes (86.44%), poor government support (81.92%) and poor access to information (75.14%). The study concludes that crop farmers experienced soil degradation and were using practicing indigenous land degradation although they were constrained by some factors. Therefore, crop farmers should come together to transform their various indigenous knowledge and control practices thereby discussing and looking for the best way on how to tackle their peculiar land degradation challenges.