Crop residue usage and its determinants in Kano State, Nigeria

This study examined crop residue usage and determined factors influencing the decision to allocate as well as the intensity of crop residue in Kano state, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 160 farming households in three local government areas of the state. Data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics and double hurdle Tobit model. The results of the study showed that on a general note, crop residues allocated for own animal feeding had the major share. Farmers preferred using crop residue for feeding than mulching. The allocation of the legume residues for feed purposes was about 64 percent; the share for cereal residues of animal feed was 26 percent. Other important competing uses of crop residue of legumes and cereals were also different. These included stall feeding, burning, house construction and fuel. About 17 percent of legumes residues are sold either on field or offsite. Legume residues were major sources for redistributing nutrient within the farm and between farm units (within the systems). More of legume crop residue (CR) was used within the farm/community (88.9 percent) while only 11 percent was exported. The decision to adopt cereal crop residue as livestock feeds was positively and significantly influenced by age, education, access to credit facilities and quantity of cereal crop residue available to the farmers. On the other hand, decision to use legume crop residue was positively and statistically influenced by farm size and access to extension facilities. However, the intensity of use of both categories of residues was mostly determined by age, education and access to credit. Furthermore, results indicated that where both residues were available, farmers complemented the use of one with another. Concerted efforts should therefore be made at increasing awareness and education on the use of crop residues in the crop-livestock system. Similarly, facilitation of extension services in crop residue training and increased access to credit will reduce the degree of residue export from the system.   Key words: Double hurdle Tobit model, multi-stage sampling technique, legumes, cereal, crop residue.