SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN BATAGARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KATSINA STATE, NORTHERN NIGERIA

A practical and sustainable Soil Fertility Management Strategy is crucial to sustainable agricultural development. Using questionnaires, interview schedules, and Focus Group Discussions, the paper assessed the relationship between the use of fertiliser and soil fertility management among smallholder farmers in Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. Based on farmers' perceptions, the study established a significant relationship between the use of fertilisers and soil fertility management, considering the choice of fertilisers, method of application, preference rankings, and problems associated with soil fertility management. Results are presented using tables and simple percentages. Spearman Rank Correlation was also used to determine the degree of relationship between the use of fertiliser and soil fertility, with a P-value of 0.213. Chemical fertiliser was found to be the most widely used input for maintaining soil fertility, at 55%, followed by Cow Dung at 25%, sheep/goat dropping and ash/plant residue at 19% and 10%, respectively. The high cost of chemical fertiliser and transportation costs were identified as the top challenges faced by farmers in the study area. The study therefore recommends the provision of subsidised chemical fertiliser, encourages mixed farming practices to boost the production of organic fertiliser, and improves the transport network for the sustainable development of the sector.