Comparative Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Services on Soil Fertility Management Among Smallholder Farmers in Morocco,

Agricultural productivity in Morocco is crucial for food security and rural development. However, smallholder farmers often lack knowledge about effective soil fertility management practices. A comparative analysis was conducted using surveys and interviews with farmers from different regions of Morocco. Data were collected over two years (-) to assess the effectiveness of extension services. Farmers in the region of Souss-Massa demonstrated a higher adoption rate of recommended soil fertility management practices when provided with targeted agricultural extension services compared to farmers in other regions, indicating regional variations in service responsiveness and farmer engagement. The study concludes that while overall effectiveness varies by region, tailored agricultural extension services can significantly enhance the adoption of best-practice soil fertility management among smallholder farmers. Investment should be prioritised in extending agricultural extension programmes to under-served regions, with a focus on tailoring interventions to regional-specific conditions and farmer needs.