Determinants of farmers’ decision to adopt or not adopt inorganic fertilizer in the savannas of northern Nigeria

Soil nutrient deficiency has hampered increased agricultural production in the savannas of northern Nigeria. It has been observed that inorganic fertilizer (IF) has the potential to reverse the situation. However, low adoption among the farmers has characterized IF in the savannas of northern Nigeria. The application rates have also fallen far lower than the rate recommended by research and extension, resulting in low crop yields. This paper investigates the factors that influence farmers' decision to adopt or not to adopt IF and to evaluate the elasticity of adoption. This information will help to prioritize the factors that affect IF adoption decisions and suggest pathways for effective promotion of IF. About 49% of the survey farmers adopted IF and the application rate ranges from 5.6 to 64.4 kg ha^–1 (with a mean of 24.1 kg ha^–1). The probability of adoption increases with increased targeting of: farmers from the Guinea savanna agroecological zone, younger farmers, better educated farmers, food secure farmers and net sellers of food grains, farmers who have diversified into many crops, farmers who perceive increase in the fertilizer needs of their crops, and farmers who apply large quantities of organic manure. Among others, the estimates of elasticity of adoption indicate that a 1% increase in the number of farmers who perceive an increase in the fertilizer needs of their crops results in 3.23% increase in the probability of IF adoption. The paper concludes with policy implications for strategies aimed at promoting IF in the savannas of Nigeria and similar ecologies elsewhere.