Browsing by Author "Bolarin, O. Bello, O. G. Oladipo, F. O. Kayode, A. O. Iyilade, A. O. and Falade, D. O."

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    ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF COCOA FARMERS’ INVOLVEMENT IN OFFSEASON COPING STRATEGIES IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
    (Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria, 2018) Bolarin, O. Bello, O. G. Oladipo, F. O. Kayode, A. O. Iyilade, A. O. and Falade, D. O.
    The study examined the level of cocoa farmers’ involvement in off-season coping strategies in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and twenty (200) Cocoa farmers were interviewed for the purpose of eliciting information for the study. Majority of the respondents were males (81.5%), married (84.0%) with average household size of 8 persons (78.5%), average monthly income of N16, 250 (72.0%), mean age of 53 years (87.0%) and farming experience of 27 years (82.5%). Majority (87.0%) were either having primary, secondary or tertiary education respectively. Main The result also revealed primary occupations of farming (45.0%) and trading (41.5%). On the other hand, the factors influencing their involvement in off-season coping strategies were; ability to educate their children (92.0%, ̅=4.60), personal savings (91.0%, ̅=4.44) and income from harvest (81.0%, ̅=4.37) among others. The results further showed that most (95.0% & 87.0%) were involved in arable farming and livestock production respectively. The main perceived benefits of the off-season coping strategies were; more contribution/savings ( ̅=4.32), increase in output and ability to cater for their family ( ̅=4.18), settlement of debt ( ̅=4.17), purchasing of better social amenities ( ̅=4.16), payment of children school fees ( ̅=4.14) and increased consumption ( ̅=4.13). The result of Pearson Correlation showed a positive correlation between their extent of involvement and factors influencing involvement. The result also showed a negative correlation between the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents and the extent of their involvement in offseason coping strategies. The respondents were highly involved in Arable farming, livestock production, palm oil processing and retail trading as off-season coping strategies. It was recommended that farmers should diversify their income to other sources, provision of financial institutions for money lending, creation of more extension contacts for the respondents and inputs support at reduced cost.