Comparative investigation of climate change potential of agro-chemical inputs used by efficient and inefficient soybean farmers of Niger State in Nigeria vis-à-vis pathways of minimizing its impacts on agro-ecology

This research investigated and compared climate change potential of agrochemical inputs used by efficient and inefficient farmers’ in soybean agro-ecosystem vis-à-vis strategy of minimizing its environmental impacts for sustainable agro-ecology. These methodologies helped to identify the impact of energy use from different inputs on output, measure efficiency scores of farmers, segregate efficient farmers from inefficient farmers, find the wasteful uses of energy by inefficient farmers and devise a strategy by which climate change effect from soybean agro-ecosystem can be mitigated. The study used multi-stage sampling design to collect farm survey data from 80 active farmers using structured questionnaires complemented with interview schedule. Soybean production in the studied area showed a high sensitivity to non-renewable energy sources, thereby resulting in energy dissipation as well as imposing negative effects on the environment and human health. On an average, considerable savings in energy inputs may be obtained by adopting the best practices of high-performing ones in crop production process. The results showed that GWP of agrochemical inputs used in inefficient unit was higher than that of efficient unit by 62.96%, and can be reduced if inefficient farmers adopt recommendation made from this study. Also, the carbon efficiency ratio of efficient units was higher than that of inefficient units by 352.70%, and if inefficient units are converted to efficient units this gap can be bridged. Therefore, by carbon sequestration, atmospheric carbon dioxide which is the most important greenhouse gas can be effectively reduced. Based on these, study recommend development of renewable energy usage technologies, adopting better management techniques, banning the use of stereotype fertilizers, using conservation tillage methods, utilization of alternative sources of energy such as organic fertilizers in order to reduce the environmental footprints of energy inputs and to obtain sustainable food production systems. Also, the researchers advocate for initiation of green bond investment by government in collaboration with international donor agencies to combat global warming menace.