Nutrient management strategies of small-holder farmers in a short-fallow farming system in north-east Nigeria

This paper presents the results of a study into farmers' management of nutr ient dynamics in a short-fallow farming system in northern Nigeria. The res earch described and quantified the main nutrient hows into and out of the f arming system, and determined the nutrient balance of farmers' landholdings . A model of nutrient cycling within the farming system was developed, whic h showed that there is a transfer of nutrients from rangeland and fallow fi elds to cropped fields through grazing livestock and the application of liv estock manure to fields. Farmers' strategies to improve soil fertility on t heir landholdings through increased use of animal manure or village refuse depend on their ownership of livestock, to provide the manure, and animal t raction to transport manure from their household or common access village r efuse heaps to the fields. The effect of rising population density on the n utrient cycle is discussed in relation to the various groups within the com munities. It is concluded that as population rises, a more integrated farmi ng system may develop, which would improve nutrient cycling, but limit catt le rearing.