Soil management practice and smallholder agricultural productivity in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates how various soil management practices can enhance soil fertility and pest control, ultimately increasing crop yields among farming households in Nigeria. Utilizing descriptive statistics, logit regression and propensity score matching on data from the 2019 Living Standard Measurement Study, the findings reveal that households using herbicides experience higher agricultural productivity. The use of pesticides and certified crops also positively influences productivity. Key determinants of soil technology access include cooperative membership and the age of household heads, both of which significantly affect access to herbicides, pesticides, organic fertilizers, and certified crops. Education plays a vital role, positively impacting the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers as well as certified crops. Additionally, larger farm sizes correlate with better access to these resources. Conversely, the gender of the household head negatively affects access to certified crops. The study emphasizes the importance of capacity building and knowledge transfer to encourage the adoption of effective soil technology practices among farmers, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and addressing food security issues.