Effects of Vetiver Grass Strips Technology (Vgt) Adoption on Poverty of Crop Farmers in Nigeria

Abstract

Abia state faces severe soil erosion problem which affects agricultural production and poverty of crop farmers. The use of vetiver grass strips technology (Vgt) helps control soil erosion, enhance crop yield, increase farmers’ income and reduce poverty. However, there is a dearth of information on the effect of adoption of Vgt. on poverty in Abia State. Therefore, the poverty status of crop farmers’ adopters in Abia State was investigated. 250 farming households were randomly selected proportionate to the size of the cells. Data on socio-economics of the farmers, awareness and adoption of Vgt, inputs and outputs of crops, expenditure on food and non-food items were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Foster, Greer and Thorbecke model, and probit regression at α0.05. The results showed that the average age of the respondents was 48 years. The household size and farm-size were 6 members and 2ha. 59.2% of the respondents were aware of Vgt but 49.6% adopted. Most of the adopters of Vgt were females with farm size of 1.57 ha, and 42.7% of them had tertiary education. Adoption of Vgt reduced poverty incidence by 21.0% for the adopters. The study recommends effective extension services for farmers. Vgt being low-cost help to reduce the poverty level of the farmers and hence government should invest more resources on this technology. Further research should be on poverty reduction and involving of government intervention programme in the study area.