Assessment of the Effectiveness of Soil Conservation Practices on Hillslopes and Flat Agricultural Lands in Yorro LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

Soil erosion represents a major constraint to sustainable agriculture, particularly in regions with mixed topography comprising hillslopes and flatlands. This study assessed the soil conservation practices employed by farmers on hillslopes and Flat Agricultural Lands in Yorro Local Government Area (LGA), Taraba State, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey design and data were collected from 400 farm household heads across ten selected villages using a structured questionnaire, complemented by field observations and key informant interviews. The results revealed clear terrain-based patterns in crop cultivation and soil conservation adoption, with hillslope farmlands being more intensively cultivated and managed through structural and biological practices such as contour farming, terracing, and agroforestry, while flat farmlands were dominated by rice cultivation and conservation tillage. Mulching and cover cropping were widely applied across both farmland types, whereas practices like crop rotation and organic manure application were less emphasized. The study concludes that topography strongly influences crop choice, conservation practice adoption, and perceived effectiveness, highlighting the need for terrain-specific agricultural interventions. It is recommended that agricultural extension programs and local government authorities promote terrain-adapted soil conservation practices and provide targeted farmer education and capacity building to enhance sustainable land use and effective soil erosion control.