SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING AWARENESS AND USE OF ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES BY HORTICULTURAL FARMERS IN OYO STATE NIGERIA
| Main Authors: | Adebisi-Adelani, O., Ibe, R. B, Olajide-Taiwo, L. O, Amao, I. O, Olajide-Taiwo, F. B, Usman, J.M |
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| Format: | Article Journal |
| Terbitan: |
, 2010
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/810055 |
Daftar Isi:
- The health hazards posed by inorganic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides cannot be overemphasized. Despite this, there is still the need to know empirically the level of awareness and use of organic farming practices and socio-economic factors influencing it among horticultural farmers. Data for the study were collected through qualitative and quantitative methods involving Focus Group Discussion (FGD) as well as the use of structured interview schedule. A total number of 62 respondents were sampled and they were selected through multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques from the four zones of Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means and Chi-square analysis. Half of the respondents’ falls between the ages brackets of 30-40 years (50%). 46.8% of the respondents have a household size of 4-6, while 72.6% are males and 87.1% were married. Awareness score of 85.5% of the respondents about organic farming was high while 61.3% were into organic farming though unconsciously. Most (96.8%) of the respondents identified time consuming as the highest constraints in organic farming practices. Chi-square analysis revealed that, land acquisition, educational qualification and source of information have significant influence on horticultural farmers' awareness and use of organic farming practices at P=0.05. It was therefore recommended that, female farmers should be encouraged and empowered in organic farming practices. Capacity building through training of respondents on newly generated technologies in organic farming practices should be embarked upon to improve the health and livelihood of farmers.