DETERMINANTS OF SOLID WASTES USAGE BY FARMERS FOR CROP PRODUCTION IN BOSSO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined the determinants of solid waste usage by the farmers for crop production in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. A total number of 126 respondents were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and da collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression analysis. The results indicate that 54.0% of the respondents were between the age of 21-40years, while only 24.6% had formal education. Average farm size of the respondents was 1.7 hectares. Homes/ Commercial refuse 38.9% and animal dung 31.7% were the commonest solid waste used by the farmers for crop production in the area. Age, livestock ownership, farm size and town residents had significant positive effect on the usage of solid waste (P<0.05) for crop production. Major constraints includes problem of handling of solid waste 51.6% and inadequate knowledge on the selection of appropriate solid waste materials for crop production 44.4%. Base on the findings, it was recommended that farmers should be encourage to practice mixed farming to enable them generate enough animal dung from livestock for crop production to supplement chemical fertilizers. In addition, extension effort should be made enlightened farmers on the selection of appropriate solid waste materials for crop production. Also, farmers should be thought the techniques of making compost manure to enable farmers process solid waste of high quality for crop production.