Use of Agricultural Extension Information for Mitigation of Soil Degradation in Ondo State, Nigeria
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Date
2018-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology
Abstract
Aims: This research work examined the use of agricultural extension information to mitigate soil
degradation in Ondo Central senatorial district of Ondo state, Nigeria. The study identified significant
sources of soil degradation in the study area, determine how often the farmers used the available
information on soil degradation mitigation and identified observed changes that occurred on the soil
in the past five years.
Methodology: A multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting respondents. Data
were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire and interview schedule from 180 registered
farmers across six communities in Ondo East and Ifedore Local Government Areas in Ondo Central
senatorial district of the state.
Results: Results of the study shows that soil degradation changes observed include a great
increase in water logging, soil erosion and dumping of biodegradables. The most important source
of information on soil degradation is agricultural extension agents. Information on organic manuring and planting of cover crops were the top two information category used to mitigate soil degradation
by the respondents. Test statistics showed that there was no significant relationship between
changes in soil degradation and information use for mitigating soil degradation at .05 level of
significance (P = .07; χ2= 1.957).
Conclusion: Agricultural extension services served as the most significant source of information for
the farmers on soil degradation mitigation. There was observed overall increase in soil degradation
over the period of 5 years (2012-2017). The use of available information to mitigate soil degradation
was occasional despite the availability of information.
Description
Staff Publication
Keywords
Soil- degradation;, mitigation;, environment;, cover crops;, flooding and erosion.