Impact of land degradation on the productivity of smallholder sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) farmers and the effect of agricultural extension services on their output in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of land degradation on the productivity and efficiency of smallholder sugarcane farmers and the role of agricultural extension services in Adamawa State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was applied to select 546 farmers, comprising 205 affected and 341 non-affected farmers. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression techniques. The results revealed significant differences in efficiency levels between the two groups. Affected farmers recorded lower mean technical efficiency (0.56) compared to non-affected farmers (0.73), indicating reduced capacity to convert inputs into output due to poor soil conditions. Allocative efficiency findings showed that 62.5% of affected farmers operated below 0.40 efficiency, reflecting poor input combination decisions, while non-affected farmers demonstrated better responsiveness to input prices. Similarly, economic efficiency results indicated that affected farmers were largely concentrated in lower efficiency categories, implying higher production costs relative to output. The regression analysis showed that agricultural extension services significantly influenced farmers’ output, with variables such as extension visits, access to credit, seminars, workshops, and field days positively affecting productivity. However, the impact was stronger among non-affected farmers, suggesting that land quality conditions moderate the effectiveness of extension services. The study concludes that land degradation significantly reduces productivity and efficiency in sugarcane production, while effective extension services enhance output but are constrained under degraded conditions. It recommends sustainable land management practices, strengthened extension delivery, improved access to credit, and policies aimed at soil restoration to enhance productivity and ensure sustainable sugarcane production in the study area.