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Effect of Agricultural Advisory Services on Farmers’ Adoption of Strip Cropping

Abstract

Strip cropping is an important soil and water conservation practice that involves growing crops in alternating strips to reduce soil erosion, control surface runoff, conserve soil moisture, and improve the sustainable use of agricultural land. The practice can help reduce the movement of soil and nutrients from cultivated fields while supporting effective crop production. Agricultural advisory services can provide farmers with relevant information and technical guidance on the planning, establishment, and management of strip cropping systems. This study will examine the effect of agricultural advisory services on farmers’ adoption of strip cropping. It will assess farmers’ access to agricultural advisory services and determine the extent to which such services influence their adoption of strip cropping practices. The study will also examine farmers’ sources of information on strip cropping and identify the challenges affecting their adoption of the practice. The study will focus on farmers’ adoption of appropriate strip cropping practices, including selection of suitable crops, strip width and arrangement, crop combinations, alignment across slopes, planting patterns, crop rotation within strips, maintenance of vegetation cover, and management of crop residues. It will also consider farmers’ knowledge of the benefits of strip cropping in reducing erosion, controlling runoff, improving soil moisture conservation, and maintaining soil productivity. Farmers’ exposure to advisory visits, training, demonstrations, and technical information will also be examined. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from farmers using structured questionnaires designed to measure their access to agricultural advisory services and adoption of strip cropping practices. The data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, adoption-level assessment, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to determine the relationship between agricultural advisory services and farmers’ adoption of strip cropping. The study is expected to reveal that farmers with greater access to agricultural advisory services may demonstrate higher levels of adoption of strip cropping. Advisory visits, practical demonstrations, and technical training may improve farmers’ understanding of appropriate strip arrangement, crop selection, slope alignment, residue management, and other requirements for effective strip cropping. However, limited access to advisory services, labour requirements, inadequate knowledge, availability of suitable planting materials, land size, and farmers’ preference for conventional cropping systems may remain challenges affecting adoption. The study will be useful to farmers, agricultural extension agents, soil and water conservation specialists, farmer organisations, agricultural development agencies, policymakers, environmental management organisations, non-governmental organisations, and researchers. It may provide useful information for strengthening agricultural advisory programmes and promoting practical soil conservation measures. The findings may also support efforts to reduce soil erosion, conserve soil moisture, maintain soil fertility, improve land productivity, and promote sustainable agricultural production. The study concludes that agricultural advisory services are important for promoting farmers’ adoption of strip cropping and strengthening sustainable soil management. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension and advisory agencies provide regular training, field demonstrations, farm visits, and technical guidance on appropriate strip cropping practices. Farmers should also be encouraged to participate actively in advisory programmes and adopt suitable strip cropping arrangements that support soil conservation and long-term agricultural productivity.

Keywords: Agricultural advisory services, farmers’ adoption, strip cropping, soil conservation, soil erosion, agricultural extension, soil moisture conservation, runoff control, crop arrangement, crop rotation, residue management, sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, land management, farmer training.