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Assessment of Farmers’ Knowledge of Agricultural Residue Utilization

Abstract

Agricultural residues are materials left after crop production, harvesting, processing, and other farming activities, including crop stalks, husks, shells, leaves, straw, and other plant materials. Proper utilization of these residues can reduce waste accumulation, improve soil fertility, provide livestock feed, support compost and organic manure production, and create opportunities for additional farm-based activities. Farmers’ knowledge of appropriate residue utilization practices is therefore important for promoting sustainable agricultural production and reducing the negative effects associated with improper disposal or burning of agricultural residues. This study will assess farmers’ knowledge of agricultural residue utilization. The study will determine farmers’ level of knowledge of different methods of utilizing agricultural residues and assess their understanding of the agricultural and environmental benefits of proper residue management. It will also identify the sources of information available to farmers and determine areas where additional knowledge and technical guidance are required. The study will focus on farmers’ knowledge of using agricultural residues for livestock feed, compost production, mulching, organic manure, soil improvement, bioenergy production, animal bedding, mushroom cultivation, and other value-added agricultural activities. It will also examine farmers’ knowledge of appropriate collection, storage, treatment, processing, and application methods for different types of agricultural residues. Awareness of the risks associated with indiscriminate dumping and open burning of residues will also be considered. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from farmers using structured questionnaires designed to measure their knowledge of agricultural residue utilization, sources of information, and understanding of different residue management practices. The data will be analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and other appropriate statistical techniques to determine farmers’ knowledge levels and identify variations in knowledge across relevant farmer characteristics. The study is expected to reveal varying levels of farmers’ knowledge of agricultural residue utilization. Some farmers may have adequate knowledge of traditional uses such as livestock feeding, mulching, and composting, while knowledge of more advanced applications such as bioenergy production, residue processing, and value addition may be limited. Access to agricultural extension information, farmer training, practical demonstrations, and previous experience with residue utilization may contribute to differences in farmers’ knowledge. The study will be useful to farmers, agricultural extension agents, agricultural development agencies, environmental organisations, farmers’ associations, policymakers, agribusinesses, and agricultural researchers. The findings may provide useful information for developing extension programmes that promote proper agricultural residue management, reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and encourage farmers to derive additional benefits from materials generated through agricultural production. The study concludes that adequate knowledge of agricultural residue utilization is important for sustainable farm management and efficient use of agricultural resources. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies strengthen farmer education through practical demonstrations, training programmes, farm visits, and farmer group activities on appropriate residue collection, treatment, storage, and utilization. Farmers should also be encouraged to explore suitable residue management and value-addition practices that can improve soil health, reduce waste, and support sustainable agricultural production.

Keywords: Agricultural residues, farmers’ knowledge, residue utilization, agricultural waste, crop residues, waste management, composting, mulching, livestock feed, organic manure, bioenergy, value addition, soil fertility, sustainable agriculture, resource management.