Indigenous Knowledge of Soil Fertility and Agricultural Practices in Mopa Muro LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria

This study examined indigenous knowledge of soil fertility and agricultural practices among rural farmers in Mopa Muro Local Government Area (LGA), Kogi State, Nigeria. The objectives were to assess local soil fertility management strategies, analyze indigenous cropping systems, explore knowledge transmission pathways, evaluate the integration of traditional practices with modern methods, and identify constraints affecting these traditional practices. A total of 373 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique, and data were gathered through structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to ensure validity and triangulation. Findings revealed that 82.3% of respondents utilized organic manure, 76.1% practiced bush fallowing (àgbẹ̀tẹ̀), and 68.9% adopted crop rotation as principal fertility improvement measures. Furthermore, 85.5% of farmers acquired knowledge through intergenerational oral transmission, underscoring the deep cultural roots of indigenous practices. Despite this, major challenges include land scarcity reported by 72.4%, youth disinterest and migration (65.1%), and climate variability (58.7%). Notably, 69.2% of respondents indicated willingness to integrate indigenous and modern techniques, with 61.4% already combining improved seeds and chemical fertilizers with traditional methods. Inferential analysis showed significant relationships between educational level and willingness to integrate modern practices (χ² = 29.76, p < 0.05), and between age group and adoption of indigenous soil fertility techniques (χ² = 25.41, p < 0.05). The study concludes that indigenous knowledge systems remain crucial for ecological sustainability and food security but face threats from socio-economic and environmental pressures. It recommends strengthening policy support, promoting youth engagement, and fostering hybrid agricultural extension models to safeguard and modernize indigenous agricultural heritage in Mopa Muro LGA.