Adoption of Integrated Pest Management among Cocoa Farmers in Cross River and Osun States of Nigeria

Abstract

The determinants of adoption of IPM among cocoa farmers were investigated in Cross Rivers State, 271 trained cocoa farmers were systematically selected out of 2704 while in Osun State 107 were selected out of 1070. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, enterprise characteristics and benefits from IPM. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. The mean age of the respondents across the states was 48.52±11.37 years. The total mean yield value was 1006.22kg. More yield (0.98±0.135) was ranked by the respondents as the most important benefit to them, followed by higher product quality (0.97±0.159) and higher income (0.96±0.206). In overall result there was significant relationship of sex (X² =130.38) and benefit of IPM. Adoption of IPM increased income and yield among trained respondents. Training of farmers on IPM in all cocoa producing states should be intensified.

Keywords: Integrated pest management, Cocoa farmers, Farmers Field School