This study determines decision variables that influence
fertilizer adoption and optimal intensity use among
crop farmers in Abak agricultural zone of Akwa Ibom
state in Southern Nigeria. Primary data were obtained
from 150 arable- crop farming household heads in
the study area. An independent double hurdle model
was used to analyze the objectives of the study on the
assumption that adoption and optimal use of fertilizer
by respondents were two independent decisions
influenced by different factors. Empirical estimates
of the first hurdle reveals that family size, farm size,
perceived price of fertilizer, years in farming business,
value of crop output, extension agent visit, number of
goats and sheep kept by farmers, and decision to own
poultry are statistically significant decision variables
that influenced the probability of adopting fertilizer by
farming household heads in the study area. Estimates
of the second hurdle revealed that, the decision
to use optimum intensity of fertilizer by farming
household heads was influenced by age, gender, farm
size, purpose of crop production, perceived price of
fertilizer, crop output, number of goats and sheep kept
by respondents, and distance to fertilizer selling point.
To encourage fertilizer adoption and it optimal usage,
the price of fertilizer should further be subsidized and
extension unit in the state strengthened to educate
farmers more on the importance of fertilizer. Also,
fertilizer selling units should be located at strategy
points in the rural areas in the state so as to reduce
the transportation and purchasing costs.