Assessment of Soil Erosion Risk in Agricultural Lands of Plateau State Using the RUSLE Model

Plateau State in North Central Nigeria experiences significant soil erosion due to its topographic complexity, seasonal rainfall patterns, and expanding cultivation on steep slopes. This study applied the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation to estimate soil erosion risk across agricultural lands in three local government areas of the state. Spatial data layers for rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover management, and support practice factors were assembled from satellite data, meteorological station records, and field surveys. Geographic information system software was used to overlay and integrate these layers to produce soil loss estimation maps. Results indicated that 38 percent of the study area experienced moderate to very high erosion risk, concentrated along hillside agricultural plots with sparse vegetation cover and minimal conservation measures. The highest estimated soil loss rates occurred on cultivated steep slopes without terracing or cover crops. Farmlands with agroforestry integration and grass strip barriers showed substantially lower erosion estimates. Field validation confirmed the model's predictions were consistent with observed rill and gully erosion patterns. The study recommends adoption of contour farming, cover cropping, and construction of check dams in high-risk erosion zones, combined with farmer training programmes delivered through Plateau State Agricultural Development Programme extension services. Keywords: soil erosion, RUSLE, Plateau State, agricultural land, geographic information system.