Evaluation of Cocoa Farmers’ Perception of the Cocoa Re-birth Program in Kwara state, Nigeria
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Date
2024-08-29
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru
Abstract
Cocoa, a significant cash crop in Nigeria, contributes significantly to the Nation’s economic growth. However, the declining trend in cocoa production is worrisome, and therefore, there is a need for a reset of the cocoa industry through the Cocoa Rebirth Program (CRP). Hence, the study describes the socioeconomic characteristics of cocoa growers in the study area, determines the level of practice of CRP, describes the attitude of cocoa farmers towards CRP, and identifies the constraints against the Adoption of CRP in Kwara state, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson product Moment correlation were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that farmers’ mean age, farming experience, and farm size were 52.4 years, 23.3 years, and 1.74 hectares, respectively. The level of practice of sustainable water programs was high. Recognizing the significance of Cocoa Rebirth Programs is crucial for the long-term viability of the cocoa industry and has the highest mean score at 4.23. The respondents have a positive attitude towards CRP with x = 2.19. Market access and price Volatility (x = 2.63) and climate change vulnerability (x = 2.54) were significant constraints to the practice of CRP. Farmers’ age (β = –0.122), years of education (β = –0.412), years of experience (β = –0.045), and frequency of extension contact (β = 0.011) determined farmers’ attitude towards the perception of CRP. The study concluded that the perception of cocoa farmers on CRP is appreciable in the study area. Findings underscore the need for more research on CRP and Cocoa, and other agricultural research institutes should explore breeding pest- and disease-resistant as well as high-yielding varieties of Cocoa.
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Keywords
Cocoa rebirth program, Attitude, Perception, Cocoa farmers, Cash crop
Citation
Kayode, A.O., Musa, M.O., & Oladimeji A.A. (2024): Evaluation of Cocoa Farmers’ Perception of the Cocoa Re-birth Program in Kwara state, Nigeria. Peruvian Journal of Agronomy. Published by Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru. 8(2), 120-12932. Kayode, A.O., Musa, M.O., & Oladimeji A.A. (2024): Evaluation of Cocoa Farmers’ Perception of the Cocoa Re-birth Program in Kwara state, Nigeria. Peruvian Journal of Agronomy. Published by Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru. 8(2), 120-129