The Structure and Determinants of Land-use Intensity among Food Crop Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria

Jelili. Olaide SAKA, Victor Olusegun OKORUWA, Omobowale A. Oni, Abayomi Samuel OYEKALE
2011 Journal of Agricultural Science  
Increased food production in Nigeria has over the years been attributed to area expansion while reports of shortened fallow period of farmlands are suggestive of shift towards intensification. The study examines the structure of land-use intensification in food crop production in Southwestern Nigeria towards determining its drivers and concordance with condition for sustainable intensification. The results showed that land-use intensification is characterized by high frequency of cultivation
more » ... %) and high cropping intensity estimated as 1.24years/ha. Cropping intensity was however higher in the derived and southern guinea savannah than forest agroecology. However, about 48%, 32% and 12% made use of inorganic fertilizer, tractor and herbicide respectively. Farm and farmer specific attributes significantly influenced level of land-use intensity of food crop farmers. The structure of land-use intensity portrays challenges for sustainable growth through intensification thus underscoring the need for adequate focus on sustainable land management messages by the extension system.
doi:10.5539/jas.v3n1p194 fatcat:ckphmayrfvalnmmsne74v4raoq