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The study examined farmers' knowledge and perception regarding the importance of cover crops in the northern agricultural zone of Delta State, Nigeria. Eighty crop farmers that were randomly selected served as respondents of the study. Data were collected through the use of structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, mean scores, and percentage were used to summarize data. Farmers' knowledge of cover crops was determined through a knowledge test, while Likert scaling was used in determining perception on the importance of cover crops and constraints to the utilization of cover crops. Results reveal that majority of the farmers operate on a small-scale with farm size ranging between 1 and 3 hectares. About 75 percent of the farmers had formal education. Majority of the farmers plant cover crops primarily for consumption and income generation not as a soil conservation measure. Popular cover crops planted include melon, beans and sweet potato. Farmers had a low knowledge on cover crops, however, majority of the farmers "agreed" with 13 of the 15 importance of cover crops investigated by the study. This suggests that they understand the rationale for the use of cover crops. Important constraints to the use of cover crops identified by the study include: attracts and harbor pests (M = 2.66), difficult to manage (M = 2.75), increase cost of production (M = 2.93), adds excessive residue to the soil (M = 2.66), and competes with food crops for space, light and nutrients (M =3.44). Based on the findings of this study, it concludes that crop farmers in northern agricultural zone presently do not exploit the full benefits of cover crops because of their limited use of cover crops. The study recommends that the farmers should increase their level of cover crops utilization by planting different cover crops species.

Farmers’ knowledge and perception regarding the importance of cover crops in the Northern Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria