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

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined the determinates of solid wastes usage by the farmers for crop production in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. A total of 126 respondents were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected using interview schedule and data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression analysis. The result indicates that 54.0% of the respondents were between the ages of 21 – 40 years, while only 24.6% had formal education. Average farm size of the respondents was 1.7 hectare. Homes/commercial refuse (38.9%) and animal dung (31.7%) were the commonest solid wastes used by the farmers for crop production in the area. Age, livestock ownership, farm size and town residence had significant positive effect on the usage of solid waste (P<0.05) fir crop production. Major constraints include problem of handling of solid waste (51.6%) and inadequate knowledge on the selection of appropriate solid waste materials for crop production (44.4%). Based on the findings, it was recommended that farmers should be encouraged to practice mixed farming to enable them generate enough animal dung from livestock for crop production to supplement chemical fertilizers. In addition, extension efforts should be made to enlighten farmers on the selection of appropriate solid waste materials for crop production. Also, farmers should be though the techniques of making compost manure to enable farmer’s process solid waste of high quality for crop production.