Determinants of likelihood and extent of adoption of medicinal plants used for the treatment of cattle diseases in Fufore Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the determinants of likelihood and extent of adoption of medicinal plants used for the treatment of cattle diseases in Fufore Local Government Area, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect personal data of cattle herders, adoption pattern of the medicinal plants by the respondents and constraint against effective utilization of the medicinal plants by the respondents. Frequencies, percentages, mean and probit regression analysis were used to analyzed the data collected. Results of the research revealed that cattle herding in the study is dominated by young adults (71.03%) of between 30 to 59 years of age, majority (75.70%) did not attained formal education, and had 31 years average herding experience. About 94.39% of the respondents were married with average family size 8 people. Majority (85.05%) of the respondents have more 50 heads of cattle with only 11.21% who had at least extension visit once in 6 months. Result of adoption pattern revealed that 90.65% of the respondents adopted both medicinal plants and modern veterinary drugs in treatment of cattle diseases. The coefficient of age (4.8784), family size (0.1675), experience (1.2239) and number of cattle (0.0202) had positive and significant effect on the adoption of medicinal plants. Similarly, marginal effect of the variables determining adoption of medicinal plants by the respondents shows that age (0.0252), family size (0.0008), experience (0.0063) and number of cattle (0.0001) were positively related. Indiscriminate feeling of trees, bush burning and concealment of knowledge were the major problems faced the respondents. It was recommended that, conservation of medicinal plants, documentation and promotion of indigenous knowledge by encouraging research activities is required in the study area. Both community and concerned authorities should enforced to laws that prohibit indiscriminate cutting of trees and bush burning so as curb looming danger of loosing value medicinal plants. Research institute should investigate to ascertain the precise dosage of herbs to be used in the treatment and control of cattle diseases.