Perception of farmers in rural north-eastern Nigeria on a newly introduced sustainable agriculture technique

Abstract

The world is at the verge of having a global crisis, with environmental degradation and malnourishment being two points of focus. Industrial agriculture, otherwise referred to as conventional agriculture, has led to ecological degradation globally. The use of heavy machinery, chemical fertilizers, heavy irrigation, and intensive tillage have had negative impacts on the environment and future generations. A solution in form of sustainable agriculture and its methods have the potential to replace conventional agriculture. Sustainable agriculture attempts to produce food in the same quantity as industrial agriculture, but while ensuring environmental, social, and economic factors are at equilibrium. The willingness of farmers to adopt such techniques, however, remains unclear. This study examined farmers’ perceptions and personal adoption of a newly introduced sustainable agriculture technique, permaculture, in a rural, semi-arid region of northeastern Nigeria. All respondents participated in a training program in permaculture in 2015. Perceptions were measured based on increase in crop yields and social benefits. Questionnaires (n = 34) were used to obtain data from respondents. Using descriptive statistics, multinomial logistic regression analyses, and crosstabulations, I found that 33 of the vi 34 respondents experienced an increase in their crop yields. While most respondents experienced social benefits, these benefits were more commonly reported among women. My findings suggest that rural farmers have a positive disposition toward sustainable agriculture and permaculture in particular.