AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

MUSHROOM PRODUCTION BY SMALL-SCALE FARMERS: AN APPROACH TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND REDUCING HUNGER AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Author:  Okwuokenye, G.F., Ayodele, S.M., Chukwu, M.N., and B.O. Ekute

Abstract
The study was carried out to investigate mushroom production by small-scale farmers as an approach to economic empowerment and reducing hunger among rural households in North Central Nigeria. The study used 389 respondents sampled through multi-stage sampling technique from three States and the Federal Capital Territory. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Binary logit regression model and Binomial test) were used to analyse the data. Results showed that the majority of the respondents were males (59.13%), married (53.47%), with the average age of 37.37 years, a mean household size of five persons and a mean educational level of 14years. They were mostly into farming (32.90%) and at full- time level (77.63%). The farmers earned an average annual income of N360,539.85 and N426,092.55 before and after adding mushroom to their farming activities and were satisfied with the proceeds from mushroom production. Strategies such as establishing and participating in cooperative groups (mean = 3.55), development of improved mushroom growing materials (mean = 3.40) and extension agents training of farmers on input use for mushroom production (mean = 3.30) were advocated to increase mushroom production. Socio-demographic characteristics such as gender, marital status, age, educational level, household size and farm status positively influence the income earned by farmers from mushroom production. It is recommended that there is need for a robust extension programme to be carried out on farmers training on the use of inputs.