Analysis Of Rural Households’ Use Of Organic Farming Practices In South – South, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed organic farming practices among rural households in SouthSouth Nigeria. The study determined the level of awareness and use of organic farming practices in the study are, identified the sources of information on organic farming practices; assessed farmers perceived benefits of organic farming practices; identified constraints to organic farming and determined strategies for the improvement of organic farming practices. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 464 crop, livestock and fish farmers and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as frequency table, percentage, mean and bar charts, ordinary least square multiple regression, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Z-test. The level of awareness of organic farming was generally low. Among crop farmers, farmyard manure ( =2.79), intercropping ( = 2.58), bush burning ( = 2.50), and mulching ( = 2.50) were practiced. The highly used organic farming practices among livestock farmers were adequate feeding ( = 2.65) and fresh drinking water ( = 2.77). The fish farmers used eco-friendly design ( = 2.56), locating site far away from polluting substances ( = 2.57) and protection of pond from predators ( = 2.70). The level of use was determined by the socioeconomic variables of sex, education, farming experience and income. They were constrained by non-availability of organic farming policy, poor governmental support, political and social factors, low awareness, poor marketing etc. Based on the findings, the following recommendations among others were made. Organic farming practices should be included in the curriculum of agricultural science undergraduates and there should be the organization of capacity building programmes for extension agents to develop the knowledge, skills and attitude needed for training farmers on organic farming practices.