FARMERS' PERCEPTION ON SOIL STATUS, FERTILITY AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ADOPTED IN KACHIA GRAZING RESERVE (LADDUGA), KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Farmers’ local knowledge of soil fertility and management strategies are very important in the maintenance of soil fertility. The study focuses on the perception of Fulani farmers on soil fertility and management practices in the study area. In recent times, there are efforts by successive governments to settle Fulani pastoralist down in one place coupled with the recent cattle rustling which have forced them to adapt to a new culture and way of life such as crop cultivation. There have been complaints of poor crop yield in the study area that these people live. A total number of sixty eight copies of questionnaire were distributed to the respondents using systematic random sampling to enable them to express their views. Simple descriptive statistic was used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that knowledge of the respondents on soil fertility was based on observable plant and soil related characteristics such as soil color, soil texture, stoniness, type and abundance of indicator weeds and abundance of soil macro-fauna. A total of (46%) of the respondents believed that color is the major indicator of soil fertility. It was perceived by (53%) respondents that long term use of agrochemicals reduces soil fertility. It was therefore, recommended that government should consider the very important role played by the local farmers and noticing their contribution to food security in the country. They should also be encouraged into agro-pastoralism which should enable them to settle down to avoid the frequent clashes with the neighboring farmers.