Adoption of organic farming practices in South Western Nigeria

This paper discusses the use and non-use of organic agriculture practices in South West Nigeria with a view of identifying factors influencing the adoption of these practices. Cluster sampling technique was adopted for selecting the required sample of urban vegetable producers. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from 450 respondents. Fourteen organic farming practices were discussed in the study and these include among others minimum tillage, crop rotation, and green manure, composting and intercropping. Respondents were to indicate on their use and frequency of use of each of these practices. Data was analyzed using percentages and probit regression model. Charts were used to show the percentages of use and frequency of use of these practices while probit regression model was used to identify factors influencing adoption of organic agriculture practices in South West Nigeria. The findings of the study showed that organic agriculture practices mostly used are minimum tillage (80.9%), crop rotation (80.7%), green manure (60.9%) and sanitation (69.8%) whereas organic fertilizer (68.9%), animal manure (71.3%) and mulching (79.6%) were rarely used by the respondents. The results of the probit model reveal that farming experience (t = 0.142, p<0.01), farm size (t = 0.197, p<0.01), dependants (t = 0.092, p<0.01), membership of organization (t = 3.81, p<0.01), subsidy (t = 2.71, p<0.01) and information (t = 0.061, p<0.01) showed a significantly positive relationship with adoption of organic farming practices. Therefore, in order to encourage farmers on the adoption of organic farming practices, information on organic farming practices must remain extensive and constant in reaching farmers.