HOUSEHOLDS AND FARMERS' WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR IMPROVED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS

Sokoto metropolis had recently witnessed an alarming increase in solid waste generation which could be harness and use as improved compost. This study examines households’ and Farmers’ willingness to pay for improved solid waste management services and its implications to agriculture. The population used for this study consist of selected households, farmers and stakeholders of solid waste management in Sokoto Metropolis. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the study respondents. A total of 150 households across low income, middle income, high income as well as mixed commercial residential areas and 30 farmers constituted the samples for the study. Descriptive statistics and logit regression model were used in analyzing the data collected. The results revealed that all household respondents generate waste and the major challenge that impedes willingness to pay is amount charged for the improved waste management services. The logit model vindicated those respondents in high- and middle-income residential areas had increasing tendency of accepting improved refuse waste management and are more willing to pay for improved refuse waste management services. On the other hand, a reasonable percentage of the farmers are willing to accept and pay for sorted refuse waste converted to compost. The unsorted refuse waste was attributed as a cheap source for manure but it contained polythenes, metals and other hazardous element which are harmful to human health and affects crops germination and growth. The improved refuse waste converted to compost could serve as an alternative source for low cost and high-quality manure that is free from those harmful elements, to improve smallholder farmers’ crops productivity. This study therefore recommends for Public-Private-Partnership to address the menace of generated waste and the possible conversion of waste to wealth