Abstract

The contribution of land conservation practices to environmental conservation and sustainable development in food production is pertinent and important to policy formulation. This paper assessed the information sources as well as the attitude of farmers’ towards Sustainable Land Conservation Practices (SLCP) in Ogun State, Nigeria. The data for the study was obtained from 388 farmers selected across 10 local government areas of Ogun state using the multi-stage sampling technique. Information collected included farmers’ socio-economic and institutional characteristics, attitudinal variables and specific SLCPs used. The SLCPs studied included Structural and Mechanical Erosion Control (SMEC), Agronomic Practices (AP), Cultivation Practices (CP) and Soil Management Practices (SMP). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive result showed that respondents had an average of 9 years of formal education, 54% participated in Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and 91% had access to extension services, 55% had land tenancy security and 81% favoured the use of AP more than other SLCPs. About 47% of the farmers cultivated undulating farmlands which were vulnerable to degradation. The majority of the farmers (95%) sourced information relating to land conservation from the extension agents. Farmers in the study area were well disposed to the need for SLCP with more than 50% agreeing to all the favourable attitudes towards SLCP. Farmers’ level of education, access to extension information and their participation in CBOs positively influenced their use of the SLCPs. The study shows that, in order to facilitate adoption, programmes and policies relating to land conservation are best relayed to farmers via the extension outfit and the CBOs. African Journal of Education, Science and Technology 2 (2) 16-26.