Indigenous farmers’ knowledge and perception of desertification and soil erosion in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Desertification and soil erosion are major agro-environmental issues in Northern Nigeria. This study assessed farmers’ knowledge and perception of these phenomena in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Data for the study was obtained through a questionnaire survey of 500 farmers, using random sampling techniques, and in-depth key informant interviews. Of the 500 distributed questionnaires, 383 were completed, representing a response rate of 76.6%. Most (86.9%) respondents were male and within the age group 35–50 years of age. Most respondents (48.6%) had 11–15 years of farming experience, with 70.5% of respondents having a large family (6–11 members) and an annual family income of < N151,000 (USD 130.77). All interviewees were aware of desertification, and most (80.2%) perceived desertification as a problem on their farm. The majority (88.3%) perceived that soil erosion had increased desertification problems and identified sand dune deposition (40.2%) and decreased crop yields (20.9%) as the main indicators of soil erosion on their farms. Most respondents identified changes in soil colour as the main indicator of soil fertility depletion. The main (56.4%) identified soil colour was reddish yellow (Munsell Colour Notation 7.5YR/8/6). The major soil conservation practise employed by respondents is tree planting (52.0%) and crop rotation (26.6%). Many of the trees (62.1%) were planted as windbreaks. The main planted tree species were date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera ) (65.8%) and gum Arabic ( Acacia senegal ) (29.2%). In summary, this study provides useful information upon which local policymakers can aid and advise local farmers to control soil erosion and reduce the rate of desertification. In addition, it also adds to our knowledge and understanding of these issues in relation to similar data obtained in other states in Northern Nigeria and other countries within the Sahelian region of Africa.