ABSTRACT

This study investigated the determinants of investment in soil conservation in IKWUANO .A total of 56 respondents made up of farmers were interviewed by means of structured questionnaire. The respondents were selected from 8 villages in four autonomous communities in lkwuano Local government area of Abia State by a multistage random sampling technique. Soil conservation practices as used by farmers in the study area were analysed by ranking. The influence of farmers socio - economic characteristics on investment in soil conservation was analysed by use of a multiple regression model. Fourteen soil conservation practices including shifting cultivation, cover cropping, manuring, making of mounds, mulching, use of fertilizer, Bush fallowing, zero tillage, ridging, minimum tillage, terracing and strip cropping, crop rotation, making of cross bars and fencing were identified and ranked in this order according to how they were preferred by farmers. The regression analysis shows that the double-log functional form had the best fit. It was found that only household size and years of farming experience of the farmers significantly influenced investment on soil conservation and were both significant at 5%. Household size had negative influence, while farming experience had positive influence. Some relevant recommendations include a credit package specially intended to assist farmers on soil conservation, public enlightenment on fertility control in the rural areas and regular on-farm demonstration programme to be organised on a regular basis to enrich farmers' knowledge in improved technologies and soil conservation in particular.