Smallholder farming in dryland areas plays a crucial role in global food security, yet there is limited research on factors influencing the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) measures in these regions. This study addresses this gap by investigating SWC practices in Dass, Nigeria, and identifying key determinants affecting their implementation. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups with farmers across ten wards. Statistical analyses like logistic regression were used to assess socio-demographic influences on SWC utilization. The study highlights that factors such as income, education, distance to farmland, access to financial resources, and participation in farmer groups significantly influence SWC adoption. Interestingly, higher income and education levels were associated with lower SWC utilization, contrary to some existing literature. Conversely, longer distances to farmland increased SWC adoption rates. The findings underscore the importance of tailored strategies, directed to settings of a specific area, for promoting SWC. For the study area, such strategies should include enhancing extension services, improving financial accessibility, supporting farmer organizations, and enhancing education and training initiatives. These no doubt emphasize the need for locally specific approaches to enhance sustainable agriculture practices and food security in dryland farming ecosystems.

Pests and diseases are important factors contribution to destruction of biotic components and promoting land degradation. Assessing vulnerability of areas to them is problematic because multiple factors (such as soil, topography, weather, and land use/cover need to be modelled in an integrated manner. Studies are limited that combine Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess crop pest and disease despite the high potentials of the two techniques in carrying out such an evaluation. In this study, pests and diseases vulnerability are assessed through the combined use of the two techniques, using Gwagwalada area council, Nigeria, as area of focus. A six-phase AHP methodology ensured robust decision-making, culminating in a risk map depicting vulnerability levels, with land use and land cover identified as the most influential factors. The implications emphasized the necessity for tailored management strategies to safeguard agricultural productivity. Validation against NDVI supported the vulnerability map’s accuracy, highlighting areas of high vegetative cover prone to pest and disease occurrences. The study’s findings emphasized the critical role of agricultural land and vegetation cover, as well as soil moisture, temperature, and slope towards the vulnerability. The integrated approach facilitated comprehensive risk-assessment and decision-making, providing insights to enhance agricultural resilience and sustainability. Recommendations include implementing customized management plans, enhancing surveillance, educating farmers on integrated pest management, improving soil health, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, adopting modern technologies, and advocating for supportive policies. These measures could collectively strengthen agricultural resilience, ensuring food security and livelihood sustainability in Gwagwalada and similar regions.