The use of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in rice production by farmers in Ekiti\nstate, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in rice production by farmers in Ekiti State of Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select 266 rice farmers registered with the Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme. Trained enumerators administered pre- tested and validated interview schedule to obtain data. The data were subjected to descriptive (percentage, mean) and inferential (Chi-square and correlation) statistics. About 75% of the respondents were full time farmers while 11.7% were artisans. About 88% cultivated between one and three hectares of rice, hence, most of them were small holders. The most patronised IKS were bush slashing without burning (98.1%), burying of carbide on the farm for termite control (54.1%), setting of traps for grass cutter control (95.9%), and use of human bird scarers (83.4%) for bird control. A high patronage of IKS was recorded with 43% of the rice farmers using between 20 and 26 IK methods. There was significant relationship between IKS utilisation and age (r=0.359, 0.05), rice income (r=0.399, 0.05), farm size (r=0.380, 0.05). A strong factor in favour of IKS utilisation was the support of extension agents. Farers expressed fears about the extinction of some of the herbs used in IKS preparation.