AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

UTILIZATION OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AMONG CROP FARMERS IN IBESIKPO ASUTAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  Godwin I. Okoro, Ofonime E. Asuquo and Unyime R. Etuk

Abstract
Efforts at encouraging farming with minimal or no chemical residues in crop products through the use of organic fertilizers in rural areas of Akwa Ibom State is hindered by insufficient information on the use and constraints to use of the fertilizers in the area. To reduce the hindrance, the study examined use and constraints to use of organic fertilizers by farmers in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. One hundred and sixty respondents were selected for the study using multi-stage sampling technique. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results show that mean age of the respondents was 40.52 and 70% were females. Also, 68.13% were married and majority (83.13%) had formal education. Most respondents (63.12%) had farming as their primary livelihood activity, while mean monthly income was N28,500. Poultry dropping, green manure and farm yard manure were the most used organic fertilizers in the area with ranks of 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Moreover, 61.88% of the respondents were adjudged low users of the fertilizers, while 52.50% were severely constrained in the use of the fertilizers. Major constraints to use of the fertilizers were scarcity, high cost and bulky nature/difficulty in transporting the fertilizers to the farm, with ranks of 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Significant relationships existed between educational status (2 = 3.41, p < 0.05), primary livelihood activity (2 = 4.61, p < 0.05), farm size (r2 = 2.61, p < 0.05), constraints to use (r2 = -1.25, p < 0.05) and use of organic fertilizers in the area. It is recommended that farmers should learn to prepare compost and other organic fertilizers to make them more available for use in the area. Moreover, agricultural organisations and agencies should produce liquid organic fertilizers and supply to farmers as this will reduce the bulkiness and ease the problem of transporting the fertilizers to the farm.