Adoption of Inorganic Fertilizer by Resource Poor Cassava Farmers in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Modern fertilizers use based on the chemical concept on plant nutrition have contributed very widely to the immense increase in agricultural production. This study shows empirical relationship between adoption of inorganic fertilizer and resource poor cassava farmers in Uyo, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Specifically, the study estimated the determinants of adoption of fertilizer by resource poor cassava farmers using Tobit model. Through the multistage random sampling procedure, 120 cassava farmers were selected and primary data were obtained using questionnaire. The result of the Tobit regression analysis reveal that farm size, population pressure on land, and farmers’ age were directly and significantly related to adoption and use intensity of inorganic fertilizer whereas average walking time to the farm, sex of the farmer and availability of labour related inversely with adoption and use intensity of inorganic fertilizer. These result underscore the need for appropriate policy intervention that will encourage access to productive resources, such as land, investment in education and rural road infrastructure development.