Analysis of Adoption of Soil Nutrient Management Practices: A Case of Rice Farmers in Liberia

The declining level of crop yield in connection with soil infertility poses a major threat to farmers' food security and income leading to adoption of different soil nutrient management (SNM) practices by rice farmers. The study identified five soil SNM options adopted by rice farmers and the factors influencing their adoption in the South Eastern region of Liberia. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study areas and participants, starting with purposive sampling of 6 high rice-producing counties and 12 districts, followed by random sampling of 17 rice farmers from each district, resulting in a total of 408 farmers, with data collected through structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a probit regression model to understand the factors influencing SNM adoption. The result showed that the majority (78.43%) of the rice farmers were into lowland rice farming, 97.55% into integrated SNM with 26.72% in organic fertilizer options. The probit regression analysis revealed that the likelihood of adopting SNM practices was significantly influenced by gender (-4.9%), age (+8.2%), education (+16.7%), land ownership (-6.8%), farm size (+4.4%), agricultural group membership (+32.08%), credit access (+4.9%), and farm distance (-8.8%). It was observed that rice farmers adopt SNM practices primarily to increase yield (x<overline>$$ \overline{\mathrm{x}} $$ = 4.34), with secondary motivations including maintaining a healthy environment (x<overline>$$ \overline{\mathrm{x}} $$ = 3.89), increasing income (x<overline>$$ \overline{\mathrm{x}} $$ = 3.46), and improving food and nutrition security (x<overline>$$ \overline{\mathrm{x}} $$ = 3.11). To ensure efficient and effective rice production and boost agricultural output, agricultural policymakers and extension services should actively promote the adoption of SNM and integrated practices by providing targeted education and increasing access to credit facilities for farmers.