Abstract:

The study assessed factors influencing the participation of farmers in agroforestry system in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 157 sampled farmers with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression model. The findings of the study revealed that the farmers were still in their agricultural active age group with average age of 46 years. Majority (42.7%) of the respondents had tertiary education. The average land size cultivated by the farmer was 4.97 hectares. The results of farmers’ participation in agroforestry showed that more than half (52%) of the farmers always practice agro-forestry system. The average score (2.34) obtained from Likert scale indicates that sampled farmers in the study area are practicing agroforestry system of farming. The socio-economic and institutional variables influencing rate of participation in agroforestry system were: level of education, size of farmland, membership of association, farming experience and extension contact. The study recommends that government should review the Land Act Decree and pay attention on land consolidation program in order to reduce land scarcity and fragmentation of farm holdings. This is because agroforestry farming requires large area of land.

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