Soil Conservation and Water–Resources Management Techniques used by Small- Scale Rice Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed s soil conservation and waterresources management techniques among small-scale rice farmers in Ebonyi State. A sample of 130 respondents generated via multi-stage, purposive and simple random methods were used. Data were generated through questionnaire and interview schedule and analysed using percentage and mean. Results, showed the indigenous methods for soil and water-resources management used by the rice farmers to include: construction of basin and flow walls ( = 92.3%), construction of dikes ( = 84.6%), ration-harvesting ( = 73%), and compost-manuring ( = 69%).Other indigenous methods used include: use of IPM ( = 65.4%), shifting cultivation and planting of trees ( = 61.5%), crop rotation( = 57.7%) and Mixed cropping ( = 50.0%). Results on level of use of the Agronomical Best Environmental Management Practices (ABEMPs) through physical measures indicated that construction of bund-lines ( = 3.23) and farm-drainage ( = 3.00) were at high level of use, while levelling ( = 2.96), dikes ( = 2.77), stone-lines ( = 2.39), terracing ( = 2.15) were at moderate level of use and plastic mulching ( = 1.85) was at low level of use. Equally, for biological measures mixed-cropping ( = 3.08) was at high level of use, while crop-rotation ( = 2.80), planting of trees ( = 2.62) and fallowcover ( = 2.23) were at moderate level of use and incorporation of residues ( = 1.92) was at low level of use. On the Best Agronomic Practice measures, results showed conservation tillage and liming ( = 3.00) were respectively at high level of use, while mount-making / ridging ( = 2.92), application of compost manure ( = 2.62), use of IPM (2.62) and application of cow dung and poultry droppings ( = 2.50) were at moderate level of use, while irrigation ( = 1.77) and zero tillage ( = 1.23) were at low level of use respectively. The indigenous and ABEMPs methods are geared towards stable renewable resource use through sustainable (soil and water-resources) management techniques. There should be enhanced farmer-scientist research collaboration to develop soil and water-resource management techniques for more sustainable for rice production in the study area.

Gender Differentiated Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices by Farmers in Kenyan Agricultural Highland Catchments

“…Finally, vegetative practices adopted included planting Napier grass, planting selected trees, and grass stripes. Obinna [28] reported that trees and bunds were particularly popular among rice farmers. Results from all the three catchments suggest that there was a predominance of terrace use as a soil and water conservation approach.…”

“…This was attributed to farmers having small farm sizes, ranging from a mean of 1.11 acres for females to 2.49 acres for males, thus contributing to intensive use, over-cultivation, lack of crop rotations, and hence soil mining. Rice farmers in Nigeria used compost manuare and crop rotation to maintain fertility [28]. Other farmers in Wundanyi used soil degrading inorganic fertilizers, like phosphorus-based fertilizers that have a long residue effect, for a prolonged period in the past.…”

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

“…Ebonyi state is renowned for its massive agricultural activities, and the farmers in the state have benefited from FAO training on different agricultural practices [26]. Obinna [27] identified crop rotation as an indigenous practice in the state, but there is little or no proof to show the level of adoption of crop rotation among farmers in Ebonyi state. This study, therefore, assessed the crop rotation and diversity practices among rural farmers of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.…”

A Study on Resource Management Techniques in Cloud Computing

“…Resources are crucial to achieve the goal of a company whether that be finishing a task or a project or helping an individual business owner to examine the important task to evaluate within a project. Thus "resource management techniques" are all about the visibility of a project, so that a project manager can be able to see, observe and retain the required things which can help a project to be executed in a proper manner [2]. There are several types of importance of business resource management which are actually immensely reluctant to depict the successful execution of a project.…”