Determinants of Farmer’s Attitude to Plant Agro-forestry Trees in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Agro-forestry trees enhance food and nutrition security, increase income and help solve land management problems. This study assessed the determinants of farmer’s attitude to plant agro-forestry trees in Giwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. Six (6) districts were purposively selected from the eight (8) districts in Giwa LGA. Two villages were randomly selected from each district to give a total of twelve (12) villages. Ten agroforestry farmers were selected from each village to make a total of 120 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics - Chi- square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and regression analysis. The results revealed that the mean age was 40.12 years. Chi-square analysis showed that age (χ2=18.487, P=0.001), educational level (χ2=9.656, P=0.04) were significant to farmersꞌ attitude. PPMC showed that income (r=0.181, p=0.049), membership in organization (r=0.214, P=0.02) were significant to farmersꞌ attitude. Regression analysis showed that years of experience (β=0.330, P=0.001) and constraints (β=0.246, P=0.11) were the determinants of farmers attitude. Farmers (59%) have unfavourable attitude towards tree planting. It was concluded that age group, educational level, income and membership in organization are very important and paramount in enhancing planting of agroforestry trees while years of experience and constraints faced by farmers were major determinants of famer’s attitude to planting agro-forestry trees.