Socio- economic Determinants of Organic Farming Technology among Small Fluted Pumpkin Farmers' in South-South Zone, of Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conceptualized to examine the socio-economic determinants of organic farming technology among small scale Fluted Pumpkin farmers in south-south zone, of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of location and respondents. The data were collected from 720 small scale organic fluted pumpkin farmers. The primary instrument used for data collected was structured questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that the average age of respondents was 37 years. Slightly more than half (55.30%) of respondents were females. Also majority (77.80%) of the organic fluted pumpkin farmers were married, while 97.60% of respondents were literate. The results further showed that (55.83%) of respondents were medium sized operators owing average farm sizes of 0.8 hectare. (66.00%) had a household size of 6 – 9 persons with an average of 7 persons. Majority (81.30%) had less than 10 years of experience with average experience of 9 years. (83.20%) of the respondents were full time operators. The study revealed that (65.60%) of the respondents indicated that extension visit were less than 3 times per year. Personal savings (90.91%) were indicated to be the major source of finance to the respondents. Government and financial institution should make credit available to organic fluted pumpkin farmers at relatively low interest rate. This will serve as incentive to production activities in organic fluted pumpkin producers in South- south zone of, Nigeria.