ABSTRACT

This study examined the economics of' farm level. soil, conservation practices in Abia State; the study identified the various conservation practices available to the state, the awareness and preferences, it considered the reasons for soil conservation, socio - economic factors affecting investment in soil conservation and also the problems encountered in the course of soil conservation. Multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting 60 respondents. Data were collected through well- structured questionnaire and personal interviews. Analysis was done using simple statistical tools like tables, percentages, frequencies, and regression analysis. The study shows that the use of fertilizer is the most preferred conservation practice. Improvement and maintenance of soil fertility was found to be the farmers' reason for investment. Socio - economic factors such as farm size, years of farming experience, use of fertilizer and farm income were found to be the significant factors affecting level of investment in soil conservation, while topography and soil erosion are the major problems encountered. Finally, cost of soil conservation by farmers can he greatly reduced by adoption of less labour-intensive soil conservation practices since labour cost is having a large portion of the total variable cost.