ABSTRACT
Economic study of the use of
organic manure in yellow pepper production in Nsukka Local Government Area of
Enugu State was carried out. The study was aimed at; describing the socio
economic characteristics of yellow pepper farmers, identifying factors that
motivate the use of organic manure by yellow pepper farmers, determining the
yellow pepper farmers’ willingness to pay for processed biodegradable waste,
determining and comparing the costs and returns from organic manure use only
and users of both organic manure and mineral fertilizer. Nsukka Local
Government was purposively selected for the study because of their high level
of involvement in the production of the crop from nursery to maturity. A multi
stage random sampling technique was used in the selection of the town
communities. Primary data were generated through the use of structured
questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, probit model Gross margin analysis and
student t-test were employed in data analysis. The study showed that all yellow
pepper farmers studied maintained their soil either by the use of organic
manure only or use of organic manure supplemented with inorganic manure. 79% of
the farmers maintained their soil through the use of organic manure sourced
from poultry droppings. It was also observed that income, age and educational
level of farmers were very important determinants of willingness to use and
willingness to pay for organic manure. These parameters were consistent in sign
in both ‘willingness to use’ and ‘willingness to pay’ models. A significant
difference (-0.374 at 1%) between the net profits made by the two groups of
farmers under study revealed the need to diversify organic manure source
through waste recycling for prompt supply of organic manure at affordable
price.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study
Despite her
plentiful resources and oil wealth, poverty is widespread in Nigeria. The
situation has worsened since the late 1990s, to the extent that the country is
now considered the 20th poorest country in the world (IFAD, 2000).
Feeding the rapidly growing population of Africa and Nigeria in particular has
become a major development concern (FAO, 1990). Over 70% of Nigeria population
is classified as poor, with 35% living in absolute poverty (IFAD, 2000).
Poverty is especially severe in rural areas where social services and
infrastructure are limited, with unstable income being a primary factor
militating against their welfare (Enete and Achike, 2008). The great majority
of those who live in rural areas are poor and depend on agriculture for food and
income.
To meet the food
and raw material demand of the growing population, agriculture must be
approached on a sustainable basis (FAO, 2003). Sustainable development
according to the Bruntland Commission is development that meets the needs of
the present generation without compromising the ability of the future
generation to meet their own needs (WCED, 1987). The struggle for food supply
to catch up with massive population growth which is in a geometric pattern
requires a consistently adequate level of soil fertility achieved in a
sustainable way (Heckman, 2005 ).
Soil
fertility, an element of natural capital, is key to the livelihood of the
majority of the rural population of sub Saharan Africa who depend on
agriculture as a central element in their livelihood strategy (Mangala, 2005).
As agricultural production is the main source of economic activity in Nigeria,
declining soil productivity means not only less food crops is grown but also
that
Low organic matter
coupled with low native nutrient status in most arable soil of Africa is
responsible for low productivity and unsustainable production base (Fakoye,
2007). One of the most well known practices to recover and maintain the soil
productivity is to add organic amendments (Westerman and Bicudo, 2003). Organic
manure plays an invaluable role in rectifying land degradation and enhancing
productivity thus achieving farm household food security, income and agricultural
development (IFDC, 2007; Alimi, 2002).
As the population
increases and puts pressure on diminishing resource, escalating environmental
problems further threatens food production (IFAD, 2000). Increasing population
pressure on the country has contributed to land degradation constraint leading
to reduced size of land holding and consequently to reduced or zero fallow
periods (Corsini, 1991). This has led to concerns over the long-term
sustainability of agriculture. The reduced ability to use traditional soil
fertility management practices such as fallow and crop rotation to restore soil
fertility limit farmers’ productivity (Lal and Stewart, 1990; Dewitt, 2002).
Organic manure remains the major natural and sustainable
means of rectifying soil fertility.
Biodegradable waste if well
managed could be of immense help in ameliorating soil nutrient problem.
The extent to which agriculture
can absorb municipal solid waste and contribute to poverty reduction, increased
food security is still lacking among policy makers (Mkwabisi, 2005). The
implication is that the financial costs.....
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