Agricultural sustainability under small-holder farming in Kano, northern Nigeria

The agricultural sustainability of small-holder agriculture in semi-arid northern Nigeria was assessed. Topsoil (0–30 cm) samples from cultivated and uncultivated soils were analysed for texture, pH, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total and available potassium and phosphorus. Comparison of data from cultivated and uncultivated soils revealed that cultivation led to losses of fine soil particles, organic carbon and total nitrogen as well as a reduction in cation exchange capacity and available water-holding capacity. The level of soil clay was shown to have the greatest influence on agricultural sustainability. It is recommended that soil conservation, especially the reduction of soil loss by erosion, should be emphasized in order to enhance agricultural sustainability.