Management of manure in farming systems in semi-arid West Africa

Manure is a key input to smallholder farming systems, especially in the semi-arid environment of West Africa where cost and availability limit the use of inorganic fertilizers. This paper considers manure management by farmers in an intensive integrated farming system in the Nigerian savanna. The paper reports farmers' indigenous knowledge concerning manure production, quality and application, chemical analysis of manure nutrient content and application rates of manure. The potential manure supply of the livestock population of the Kano close-settled zone is calculated and compared with application rates. Recommendations are made concerning methods for improving manure quality through changes in management practices.