FARMERS’ AWARENESS OF BIOFUEL CROPS AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE IN SELECTED VILLAGES OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2016
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Publisher
NSUK Journal of Science & Technology
Abstract
The study examined farmers‟ awareness of biofuel crops as alternate energy source in selected villages of Kwara State, Nigeria. The
objectives of this study were to identify farmers‟ level of awareness on the uses of biofuel crops as an alternative energy source,
determine farmers‟ level of benefits derived from biofuel crops as an alternative source of energy and to identify the barriers to biofuel
production as an alternative energy source. Bode Saadu and Osi were purposively selected for this study because of the fact that there are
lots of farmers who are biofuel crops producers there. 50 respondents each were randomly selected among the farmers growing jatropha
and cassava, respectively making a total sample size of 100 respondents. Interview schedule was carried out to obtain information from
the farmers. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the major benefits of biofuel
crops derived by the farmers are creation of employment (X2 = 2.17), serving as a soil protector (X2 = 2.04) and improving standard of
living (X2 = 2.20). The major uses of biofuel crop as alternative source of energy that farmers are aware of are fuel production with mean
(X2= 2.00), biodiesel (X2 = 1.99). Barriers identified by the farmers include finance (100%), information (78%) and feedstock (58%
among others. The study recommended that farmers should be adequately assisted financially and adequately provided with feedstock.
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Keywords
awareness, cassava, jatropha, energy source, farmers, Nigeria