3.4. Farmer knowledge of soil fertility and nutrient cycling processes
Majority of the farmers demonstrated a good information base and understanding of the causal effects of soil fertility decline, the fate of litter on the forest floor and the roles of macro-fauna and soil organic matter (Table 4). All farmers noted the presence of soil macro-fauna notably earthworms, centipedes and millipedes, termites, ants and beetles in soils in their farms. Majority of the respondents (85.4%) articulated the understanding that soil macrofauna facilitate the break-down of organic materials and aid in improving soil fertility. About 80% of respondents attributed fertility decline to continuous cropping without fertilizer application and 97% of respondents explained that plant litter and organic materials decompose and provide nutrients to improve soil fertility.