A Double-Hurdle Model of Fertilizer Adoption and Optimum Use among Farmers in Southern Nigeria

This study determines decision variables that influence fertilizer adoption and optimal intensity use among crop farmers in Abak agricultural zone of Akwa Ibom state in Southern Nigeria. Primary data were obtained from 150 arable- crop farming household heads in the study area. An independent double hurdle model was used to analyze the objectives of the study on the assumption that adoption and optimal use of fertilizer by respondents were two independent decisions influenced by different factors. Empirical estimates of the first hurdle reveals that family size, farm size, perceived price of fertilizer, years in farming business, value of crop output, extension agent visit, number of goats and sheep kept by farmers, and decision to own poultry are statistically significant decision variables that influenced the probability of adopting fertilizer by farming household heads in the study area. Estimates of the second hurdle revealed that, the decision to use optimum intensity of fertilizer by farming household heads was influenced by age, gender, farm size, purpose of crop production, perceived price of fertilizer, crop output, number of goats and sheep kept by respondents, and distance to fertilizer selling point. To encourage fertilizer adoption and it optimal usage, the price of fertilizer should further be subsidized and extension unit in the state strengthened to educate farmers more on the importance of fertilizer. Also, fertilizer selling units should be located at strategy points in the rural areas in the state so as to reduce the transportation and purchasing costs.