Propensity of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Farmers to Adopt Neem in Controlling Pest in Delta State, Nigeria

Au Ofuoku,E C Enujeke ,E O Egho

doi:10.4038/tare.v14i3.4844

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the factors that influence the propensity of cowpea farmers to adopt neem in controlling pests in Delta State, Nigeria. Data were collected from a sample population of 125 cowpea farmers from ten randomly selected Local Government Areas of Delta State. The data were elicited from the respondents with the use of structured interview schedule and questionnaire, while descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The recommended neem technologies at different stages of adoption process were neem seed oil/extract; neem leaves solution, neem seed powder, and neem kernel powder. The grand mean adoption score and adoption index were 0.70 and 0.140 respectively. The low level of adoption was attributed to lack of extension contact, scarcity of neem, and poor level of subscription to farmers’ groups. The level of education, age of farmers, farm size, farm income, household size, extension contact, membership of farmers’ groups, cost of technology were the major factors that influenced the propensity of cowpea farmers to adopt neem technologies in pest control at 0.05 level of significance. It was recommended that more extension agents be employed; progressive approaches to extension delivery be encouraged and propagation of neem plants be encouraged. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tare.v14i3.4844 Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension 14(3): 2011 63-69

Highlights

The best control of the numerous pests that attack cowpea, Vigna unguiculate (L) is largely obtainable by the use of synthetic insecticides (Jackai 1993)
Farmers were selected randomly form a list of cowpea farmers in each of the selected Local Government Areas on the basis of 10%; This list was provided by Delta State Agricultural Development Programme (DTADP) extension agents in each of the Local Government Area selected
Farmers were categorized into low, medium and high levels of adopters. This breath showed that the adoption level was generally low as most (70.4%) of the cowpea farmers fell under the category (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The best control of the numerous pests that attack cowpea, Vigna unguiculate (L) is largely obtainable by the use of synthetic insecticides (Jackai 1993). Because of the high cost implication, these synthetic insecticides are out of the reach of most cowpea farmers, considering their small holdership scale of production (Jackai and Daoust 1986; Afun et al (1990). Frivolous insects like Orthopterans infest cowpea and severely reduce the quantity and quality of both the grains and fodder yields. This implies losses in both grain and fodder. Other measures used to reduce insect damage to cowpea are biointensive approaches that rely more on manipulating the plant or its environment. These include use of resistant varieties habitat modification and biological control.

Methods

Results

Conclusion