ASSESSMENT OF AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES ON SMALLHOLDER FARMS IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS OF KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2025.1102.016Abstract
This study assessed agroforestry practices among 250 smallholder farmers in semi-arid Katsina State using multi-stage sampling and structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Four main agroforestry systems identified were agro-silvicultural (60%), agro-silvo-pastoral (19.6%), silvo-pastoral (12.4%), and agro-silvicultural/silvo (8%). Five types of agroforestry technologies practiced included alley cropping (14%), tree on farmland (12.8%), scattered trees (16%), natural tree regeneration (50%), and windbreaks (7.2%). Farm sizes ranged from 1-2 hectares (60%) up to over 7 hectares (4.4%). Seedlings were mainly self-supplied (54%), with others sourced from state forestry and agricultural agencies. Extension services were mostly seasonal (60.4%). Logistic regression showed medium-sized farms (3-4 hectares) significantly increased agroforestry adoption (p=0.0016), while monthly extension services were positive but not significant (p=0.1057). Farmers using self-supplied seeds (p=0.0087) or receiving only seasonal extension (p=0.0043) were less likely to adopt agroforestry. Constraints included drought, long tree gestation, lack of seedlings, and land tenure issues. Reported benefits included reduced soil erosion, improved soil fertility, climate mitigation, and enhanced carbon sequestration. The study recommends consistent institutional support and education programs via mass media and ICT to promote agroforestry adoption.
References
Abaje, I. B., Sawa, B. A. and Ati, O. F. (2014). Climate Variability and Change, Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. Journal of Geography and Geology; 6(2):103-112.
Abaje, I.B., Ati, O.F. & Iguisi, E.O. (2012). "Recent Trends and Fluctuations of Annual Rainfall in the Sudano-Sahelian Ecological Zone of Nigeria: Risks and Opportunities. Journal of Sustainable Society, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 44-51.
Adeola, R. G., & Adebayo, S. A. (2020). Socio-economic determinants of sustainable agricultural practices among rural farmers in Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Research and Development, 10(1), 33–41.
Adepoju, A. A., & Oyewole, S. O. (2020). Livelihood diversification among rural households in Nigeria: Patterns and determinants. African Journal of Rural Development, 5(1), 21–30.
Adereti, D.T; Fasina, O.O. (2017). Gender analysis of food security status of rural households in Ondo State, Nigeria. Russian Agric. Sc. 43, 353–360.
Ado, S.W. (2012). Assessment of Agroforestry Practices in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State. Unpublished M.Sc Thesis, Bayero University Kano.
Aina, M. A., & Adepoju, A. O. (2020). Natural cycles and ecological balance: The role of agroforestry systems. Nigerian Journal of Ecology, 25(1), 12–22.
Ajayi, O. C., Akinnifesi, F. K., Sileshi, G., & Chakeredza, S. (2011). Managing conflict over land and natural resources through agroforestry in tropical Africa. Sustainable Development, 19(2), 177–184
Ajewole, O. C., & Olorunfemi, S. A. (2020). Constraints to agroforestry adoption in Nigeria: Evidence from smallholder farmers in Osun State. African Journal of Rural Development, 5(1), 22–30.
Ajiboye, B. O., Fashina, A. B., & Olaniyan, A. B. (2021). Agroforestry systems and climate resilience among smallholder farmers in northern Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Research, 9(3), 44–53.
Akinnifesi, F. K., Ajayi, O. C., Chakeredza, S., Sileshi, G., & Matakala, P. (2017). Contributions of agroforestry research and extension to rural livelihoods in Southern Africa. Agroforestry Systems, 91(1), 85–97.
Akinyemi, O. J., Alarima, C. I., & Adewale, J. G. (2019). Socio-economic determinants of agroforestry practices in Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 23(1), 45–56.
Alao, J.S. & Shuaibu, R.B. (2013). Agroforestry practices and concepts in sustainable land use systems in Nigeria. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry, 5(10): 156–159.
Alemie, D., & Mezgebu, T. (2023). Land size, education, and extension support as determinants of agroforestry adoption in Ethiopia. Sustainable Food Systems. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1512761/full
Aliyu, M. T., & Aremu, F. J. (2022). Farmers’ investment in agroforestry under varying land tenure regimes in Northern Nigeria. African Journal of Land Policy and Geospatial Sciences, 5(1), 110–122.
Amare, A., & Shiferaw, B. (2025). Farmer perceptions and agroforestry adoption in Legambo District, Ethiopia. African Agroforestry Journal, 10(1), 45–56.
Asare-Nuamah, P., Botchway, E., & Nuamah, N. J. (2025). Knowledge, extension access, and agroforestry adoption among smallholder crop farmers in rural Ghana. Agroforestry Systems, 99, 108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-025-01212-w
Ayanlade, A., & Olagunju, A. (2021). Socio-cultural factors affecting agroforestry adoption in rural Nigeria. Journal of Environmental and Social Sciences, 12(3), 88–99.
Charles, R. L., Munishi, P. K. T., and Nzunda, E. F. (2013). Agroforestry as adaptation strategy under climate change in Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. International Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(11), 29.
Eze, E. B., Ogbodo, E. N., & Nwankwo, E. O. (2021). Availability and accessibility of agroforestry planting materials in Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management and Agriculture, 27(3), 64–72.
FAO (2013). Advancing Agroforestry on the Policy Agenda: A Guide for Decision-Makers. In G. Buttoud, in collaboration with O. Ajayi, G. Detlefsen, F. Place and E. Torquebiau. Agroforestry Working Paper no. 1. Rome
FAO. (2020). Agroforestry and tenure. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO. (2021). Agroforestry and its role in climate-smart agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Garrity, D. P. (2012). Indigenous fallow management. The Netherlands Centre for Research and Information on Low Eternal input and sustainable Agriculture, 16(3): 36-42.
Ibrahim, H., Bello, N. J., & Lawal, A. (2019). Influence of farmers’ demographics on the adoption of agroforestry practices in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 23(2), 78–86.
Ibrahim, H., Bello, N. J., & Lawal, A. (2021). Constraints to adoption of agroforestry practices in northern Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 25(3), 78–87.
Ibrahim, Y.E., Nuraddeen, A.M. & Abubakar, A.R. (2014). "Factors Affecting Soil Quality Maintenance in Northern Katsina State, Nigeria. Science World Journal, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 39-46.
Iiyama, M., Neufeldt, H., Dobie, P., Njenga, M., & Ndegwa, G. (2017). Opportunities and challenges of agroforestry-based biomass energy in sub-Saharan Africa. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 67, 238–245.
Izekor, O.B., Olumese M.I. (2010). Determinant of production and profitability in Edo state, Nigeria. Afr J General Agric, 6(40): 205-210.
Jamala G.Y., Shehu H.E. Yidau J.J., and Joel L. (2013). Factors influencing adoption of Agroforestry among smallholder Farmers in Toungo, Southeastern Adamawa State Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, technology food technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402, p-ISSN: 2319-2399. Vol. 6 (6) pp 66-72. www. Iosrjournals.org.
Kalaba, K. F. Paxie, C., Stephen, S & Ajayi, C. (2010). Contribution of agroforestry to biodiversity and livelihoods improvement in rural communities of Southern African regions. in T. Tscharntke et al. (eds.), Tropical Rainforests and Agroforests under Global Change, Environmental Science and Engineering, 461–476.
Kiptop, E., Franzel, S. (2010). Gender and Agroforestry in Africa: A Review of Women’s Participation. Agroforestry Systems, 84, 35-58.
Krejcie, R.V., & Morgan, D.W., (1970). Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement.
Mbow, C., Smith, P., Skole, D., Duguma, L. & Bustamante, M. (2014). Achieving mitigation and adaptation to climate change through sustainable agroforestry practices in Africa. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 6, 8–14.
Mensah, A. K., Antwi, E. K., & Adjei, K. A. (2019). Barriers to agroforestry adoption in forest fringe communities in Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 38(2), 145–160.
Mwangi, E., Meinzen-Dick, R., & Sun, Y. (2021). Land tenure, tree rights, and the adoption of agroforestry: Evidence from Eastern Africa. International Forestry Review, 23(2), 217–229.
Nair, P. K. R. (2021). Agroforestry systems in the tropics (2nd ed.). Springer Nature.
Ndaeyo, N. U. (2020). Evaluation of agroforestry systems in dryland areas of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment, 16(2), 57–64.
Odeyemi, A. T., Olabode, O. S., & Adegbite, A. A. (2018). Agroforestry and its role in soil fertility improvement in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Management, 7(2), 34–41.
Ogunleye, A. J., Oladeji, J. O., & Olaleye, R. S. (2016). Factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry practices among farmers in Nigeria. Journal of Forestry Research and Management, 13, 85–93.
Okafor, N. C., & Onyegbule, C. N. (2022). Demographic factors affecting sustainable land management practices in Southeastern Nigeria. African Journal of Sustainable Development, 12(3), 45–54.
Okon, I. E., & Effiom, D. O. (2020). Institutional constraints to agroforestry adoption among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Management, 24(1), 52–61.
Okonkwo, U. C., & Musa, H. Y. (2022). Assessment of indigenous agroforestry systems in the semi-arid zone of Northwestern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agroforestry, 14(1), 22–31.
Oladipo, E. O., & Oni, A. S. (2018). Climate and agro-ecological zoning in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable food production. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology, 2(1), 45–52.
Olaleye, R. S., Olagunju, K. O., & Adebayo, A. S. (2021). Agroforestry practices and rural livelihoods in Nigeria’s dryland regions. African Journal of Environmental Sustainability, 9(2), 67–75.
Olawuyi, S. O., Fapojuwo, O. E., & Ajiboye, B. O. (2020). Effects of land tenure systems on the adoption of agroforestry technologies in southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Land and Rural Studies, 8(1), 67–78.
Ouedraogo, M., Sawadogo, H., & Traoré, K. (2025). Adoption of agroforestry systems by smallholder farmers in the Sudano-Sahelian zones of Mali and Burkina Faso. Journal of Rural Development, 14(2), 120–135.
Place, F., Ajayi, O. C., Torquebiau, E., Detlefsen, G., & Gauthier, M. (2022). Advancing agroforestry on the policy agenda: A guide for practitioners. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).
Saliu, Olushola and Oluwagbemi, Tand Ifatimehin, Dr. Olarewaju Oluseyi. (2015). Challenges of Agroforestry System, Adoption by farmers in the North Central Zone of Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education System. 5. 161-169.
Sarfraz, M., Khan, M. A., & Yousaf, A. (2025). Socioeconomic determinants and perceptions of smallholder farmers towards agroforestry adoption in northern irrigated plains of Pakistan. Land, 12(4), 813. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/4/813
Sobola, O. O; Amadi, D.C; Jamala, G. Y. (2015). The role of agroforestry in environmental sustainability. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science 8 (5), 20-25.
Tukur R, Adamu GK, Abdulrahid I, Rabi’u M. Indigenous trees inventory and their multipurpose uses in Dutsin-Ma area, Katsina State. European Scientific Journal 2013; 9(11):288-300.
Umar, H. S., Ndanitsa, M. A., & Ahmed, B. (2021). Factors influencing adoption of improved agricultural technologies among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 11(1), 17–26.
Yusuf, A. A., & Haruna, U. (2021). Socio-economic characteristics of rural farming households in northern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 11(2), 59–68
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 FUDMA Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
