Evaluation of Conservation Agriculture Adoption Potential in North Central Nigeria

This study evaluates the adoption potential and agronomic performance of conservation agriculture principles in North Central Nigeria, assessing farmer readiness, institutional support, and field performance of CA practices in Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States. Conservation agriculture, based on minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop diversification, offers a pathway to improved soil health and reduced production costs, but its adoption in Nigeria remains limited despite international promotion. This study uses a mixed-method approach combining agronomic performance trials at six sites across the three states with a survey of 240 farmers assessing CA knowledge, perception, and adoption constraints. CA practice performance metrics include soil organic carbon, water infiltration, weed pressure, crop yield, and labour and fuel cost savings compared to conventional tillage systems. Findings reveal that minimum tillage combined with mulching produces yield-equivalent outcomes to conventional tillage while reducing fuel costs by 65 percent and labour costs by 35 percent after the transition period. Farmer acceptance is highest in communities with prior exposure to CA demonstrations and where herbicide access is adequate for weed management under no-till conditions. Key barriers include weed management challenges in the transition year, lack of appropriate mechanisation for CA operations, and limited herbicide access in remote communities. The study concludes that CA adoption potential is significant in North Central Nigeria under appropriate support conditions. It recommends a transition support package including herbicide access, demonstration plots, and minimum tillage equipment access.

Keywords: conservation agriculture, minimum tillage, North Central Nigeria, soil health, adoption potential.