Assessment of Soil Erosion Impact on Crop Productivity in Hillside Farms of Anambra State

Accelerated soil erosion on sloped agricultural land in Anambra State has severely degraded the physical and chemical properties of topsoils, reducing crop yields and threatening the long-term agricultural viability of affected hillside communities. This study assessed the impact of varying degrees of soil erosion on crop productivity in hillside farming communities in Orumba North and Aguata LGAs, Anambra State, South East Nigeria. A field survey combined with soil profile and yield assessment was conducted across 45 farm plots categorised into three erosion classes (slight, moderate, and severe) using FAO erosion assessment criteria. Composite soil samples were collected from each class and analysed for organic carbon, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and soil depth. Maize and cassava yields were assessed at harvest. Results showed that severely eroded plots had 71.4 percent lower soil organic carbon, 63.2 percent lower total nitrogen, and 58.9 percent lower available phosphorus than slightly eroded plots. Maize grain yield was reduced by 67.3 percent on severely eroded compared to slightly eroded plots. Cassava fresh root yield declined by 52.1 percent on severely eroded plots. Gully formation was advanced on all severely eroded plots. The study concludes that soil erosion is critically undermining crop productivity in hillside Anambra farming communities and recommends contour ridging, vetiver grass contour strips, organic matter restoration, and reforestation of severely degraded slopes.

Keywords: soil erosion, crop productivity, hillside farming, Anambra State, erosion assessment