Issues in Adoption of Organic Farming Operations by Crop Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

The study investigated issues in adoption of organic farming operations by crop farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined organic farming operations common among crop farmers in the State; extent of adoption of these operations; and constraints to their adoption. A descriptive survey research design was employed. Population comprised crop farmers across the three agro-ecological zones of Abia State. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 240 crop farmers. A 37-item structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation and independent sample t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Findings reveal 12 organic farming operations common among crop farmers the most common being mulching (X̅g = 3.89), crop rotation (X̅g = 3.78) and intercropping (X̅g = 3.74). The extent of adoption of the operations was moderate overall minimal or zero tillage (X̅g = 3.77) and mowing and cutting of weeds mechanically (X̅g = 3.73) were, however, adopted to a high extent. Eleven constraints to adoption were identified, the most severe being inadequately trained extension specialists (X̅g = 3.71) and inadequate storage facilities for organic crop products (X̅g = 3.57). The t-test results showed no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in the mean responses of male and female crop farmers in the three domains investigated; hence, the three null hypotheses were not rejected.