The effectives of indigenous soil conservation techniques on sustainable crop production

Soil and water conservation techniques remain an indispensable tool in sustaining crop production especially on farm lands under severe soil degradation. Six (6) village farm locations (Humbutode, Gella, Digil, Yewa, Hurida and Duda) within Mubi area that apply indigenous soil and water conservation techniques (Hillside-terraces, stone-bunds, stone-lines, sand-bag lines, trash-lines, vegetative-barriers, earth-contour bunds, rice-bran mulch and organic-manuring) were surveyed and assessed for effectiveness between April and November, 2006. Parameters related to soil degradation such as vegetation, topography, land slope, soil textural class and erosion types were equally noted and/or measured. Data collected were statistically analysed and compared using Likert scaling test. The result indicated that Hillside-Terraces (Gella and Duda), earth-contour bunds (Humbutode), vegetative-barriers (Digil, Yewa and Hurida), rice-bran mulch (Digil and Yewa) and organic-manuring (Digil) effectively conserved soils against erosion losses that characterize the Mubi undulating topography. The challenge to optimally sustain a timeless food crop returns through locally effective soil and water conservation methods feasible in Mubi area were equally addressed.