DETERMINANTS OF ARABLE CROP FARMERS’ USE-LEVELS OF SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Efficient use levels of sustainable soil management techniques (SSMT) are sine qua-non for increased food production. Hence, the study assessed the determinants of use-levels of sustainable soil management techniques of arablecrop farmers in Imo
State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 209 arable crop farmers for this study. Information on the objectives of this study was elicited from the sampled respondents through a well structured questionnaire. Data were
analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, probability use-levels of SSMT and Tobit regression model. The Table revealed that about 96.2 percent of the farmers had contact with extension agents during the cropping season which aided their
exposure to improved soil management techniques. Mean probability use levels of the sustainable soil management techniques was 0.470, with less than 46 percent of the farmers having probability use levels which ranges from 0.116 - 0.470, which
implies that minority of the farmers in the area had relatively low use level of sustainable soilmanagement techniques. Findings further reveal that age of farmer, sex of farmer, education, net farm income, farm size, extension contacts, farming
experience and cost of land improvement practices were significant determinants of use levels of sustainable soil management techniques. Hence, farmers in the area should be encouraged to effectively adopt improved soil management techniques
without prejudice or bias as to improve food production always.