Utilization of Organic Farming Practices Among Rural Farming Households in Imo State, Nigeria
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Abstract
The study examined utilization of organic farming practices among rural farming households in Imo State, Nigeria. It specifically, described socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; determined level of utilization of organic farming practices among rural farming households; and ascertained perceived effects of organic farming practices on arable crop farming among rural farming households in the study area. Purposive and multistage sampling procedures were used to select 120 respondents for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analysed using mean, percentages and multiple regression analysis. The findings showed that (65%) of the respondents were female and (92.5%) were farmers with mean age 47.0 years and mean farming experience of 11.1 years, Results indicated that the level of utilization of most of the organic farming practices was high with grand mean of 3.51 and showed positive perceived effect with grand mean of 4.23. Multiple regression result showed that coefficient of income and household size were statistically significant at 1% while coefficient of education was significant at 10% and positively related. The study concluded that most of the organic farming practices were highly utilized and recommended that there is need for NGOs and government to encourage organic farmers through procurement of loans for promoting and enhancing the full practice of organic agriculture.
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References
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