Participation of Cocoa Farmers in Farmers Field School and its Effect on Yield in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the participation of farmers in Farmers Field School (FFS) and their effect on productivity in Osun state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 98 respondents from the study area, with 50 being participating cocoa farmers in FFS) and 48 non-participating cocoa farmers. Data were collected with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire and were analysed with percentages, mean and T- test. The result shows that the farmers participated in the management training programme: spacing(X=̅3.90), shading techniques(X=̅3.86), making the decision about where to replant cocoa (X=̅3.82), sowing seeds in poly bags (X=̅3.74) and killing undesirable shade trees in a cocoa farm (X=̅3.70) and pruning (X=̅3.40). The mean yield before and after FFS were X=̅1133kg/ha and X=̅ 1767kg/ha, respectively. The mean difference was (X=̅ 634kg/ha ) Cocoa yield before FFS and after FFS were significantly different (p=0.00, t=13.95). Farmer’s field school should be organized for all the cocoa farmers in all the cocoa-grown zones in Nigeria in order to increase their productivity, reduce poverty and increase their standard of living.