ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF COCOA FARMERS’ INVOLVEMENT IN OFFSEASON COPING STRATEGIES IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2018
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Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria
Abstract
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.
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Citation
Bolarin, O., Bello, O. G., Oladipo F. O., Kayode, A. O., Iyilade, A, O. & Falade, D. O. (2018). Assessment of the level of cocoa farmers’ involvement in off-season coping strategies in Ondo State, Dutse Journal of Agriculture and Food Security (DUJAFS), 5 (2), 121-132