Arable Crop Farmers’ Awareness and Disposition Level to Organic Fertilizer in South - South, Nigeria
ABERJI Davina Okompu
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Dennis Osadebey University Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
ABOJEI John Ofiaju
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Dennis Osadebey University Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
EMAZIYE Oghenekome
Department of Business Education, Faculty of Education, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
EMAZIYE Peter Otunaruke *
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The main aim of the study was the assessment of arable crop farmers’ awareness and disposition level to organic fertilizer in south - south, Nigeria. The research engaged a multi-stage sampling technique in choosing 300 farmers. The data were collected with the help of questionnaires and analyzed using likert rating scales and descriptive statistics. The study showed that married female farmers were more involved in the usage of organic fertilizer in their productive age with moderate family size. Most respondent were secondary school holders having 10 years farming experience and personal savings and cooperative as credit sources. The study also confirmed that extension services were lacking with low mean farm size of 1.3 Ha. Majority were unaware on the usage of organic fertilizer for farming and relied more on inorganic fertilizer leading to low awareness level. The unawareness level of the above organic fertilizer is dangerous to organic agriculture trend globally. It is hereby recommended that vigorous awareness campaign on organic agriculture should be carried out especially extension agents which is also lacking in the area. The Government, NGOs and other bodies should be encouraged to be carried out the awareness campaign to meet up with the new trend of organic agriculture globally. Further sensitization campaigns be conducted to bridge whatever information gap still exists in the use of organic fertilizer in order to strengthen farmers’ commitment.
Keywords: Arable crop, awareness, disposition, farmers, fertilizer