Small-Scale Farmers’ Uptake of Eco-Friendly Vegetable Production Practices in Enugu State, Nigeria.
Keywords:
Eco-friendly farming, vegetable production, smallholder vegetable farmersAbstract
The rising demand for sustainable agriculture is driving a global shift toward eco-friendly vegetable production methods that prioritise human health and environmental protection Vegetables. however, the level of uptake of eco-friendly practices and their drivers are poorly understood, which prompts the current study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 300 randomly selected vegetable farmers in Enugu State. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results show that standard eco-friendly practices adopted by vegetable farmers included minimum/no tillage (87.0%), intercropping (64.0%), reduction of chemical inputs (64.0%), agroforestry (46%), and organic farming (33%). Most (71%) farmers were medium-level adopters of eco-friendly practices. The primary constraints to the uptake of eco-friendly practices included limited access to resources (????? =4.50), limited technical knowledge (????? =4.04) and lack of support from research and extension services (????? =4.03). Education (p<0.1), farm size (p<0.05), farming experience (p<0.05), consumer demand (p<0.05), and access to credit (p<0.05) were the socioeconomic and institutional factors that influenced the level of adoption of eco-friendly vegetable production practices. To accelerate the transition to sustainable farming, the study recommends innovative solutions such as tailored farmer education programs, microfinance initiatives, government subsidies, and robust research-extension linkages.References
Adesida, I.E., Nkomoki, W., Bavorova, M., & Madaki, M.Y. (2021). Effects of agricultural programmes and land ownership on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria. Sustainability, 13, 7249. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137249
Akanbi, S.O., Mukaila, R., & Adebisi, A. (2024). Analysis of rice production and the impacts of the usage of certified seeds on yield and income in Cote d'Ivoire. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies,14(2), 234-250. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-04-2022-0066
Anugwa, I.Q., & Benedicta, O. (2020). Assessment of crop farmer’s use of organic practices in Enugu State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science, 20(2), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2020.83.90
Apeh, C.C., Chukwuone, N.A., Onyekuru, N.A. & Apeh, A.C. (2024). Gendered analysis of the economic impact of adoption of multiple climate-smart agriculture practices in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension 28 (4),131- 143.
Aryal, J.P., Sapkota, T.B., Khurana, R., Khatri Chhetri, A., Rahut, D.B. & Jat, M.L. et al. (2020). Climate change and agriculture in South Asia: adaptation options in smallholder production systems. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 22, 5045–5075 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-019-00414-4
Bas, M., Kahriman, M., Cakir Bicer, N., Seckiner, S. (2024). Results from Turkiye: Which factors drive consumers to buy organic food? Foods, 13(2), 302. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13020302
Climate-data.org, (CDO). (2021). Climate Enugu, Nigeria. Retrieved on 30th May 2021 from https://en.climate- data.org/africa/nigeria/enugu/enugu-542/.
Das, S., Chatterjee, A., & Pal, T. K. (2020). Organic farming in India: A vision towards a healthy nation. Food Quality and Safety, 4(2), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1093/fqsafe/fyaa018
Dhillon, R., & Moncur, Q. (2023). Small-Scale Farming: A Review of Challenges and Potential Opportunities Offered by Technological Advancements. Sustainability, 15(21), 15478. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115478
Effiong, J. B., Aboh, C. L., & Aya, C. F. (2021). Perception of farmers on the contribution of vegetables to livelihoods in Yakurr local government area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 27, 85–91. Https://Dx.Doi.Org/10.4314/Gjpas.v27i2.1
Enugu State Agricultural Development Program (ENADEP). (2006). Enugu State Agricultural Development Program Extension Services Report, 2006.
Etuah, S., Adams, F., Mensah, J.O., Osei, A.A., Danso, K.A., & Frimpong, R.K. (2021). Assessing consumer awareness, perception, and willingness to pay a premium for certified organic vegetables, International Journal of Vegetable Science, https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2021.1983912
Ewere, O. C., Alao, A.O., Afanwoubo, B.J & Eze, S.U. (2024). Organic farming policies in Nigeria: analysis of the impact of policies promoting organic agriculture. International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science,10 (7), 68-93.
Githongo, M., Kiboi, M., Ngetich, F., Musafiri, C., Muriuki, A., & Fliessbach, A. (2021). The effect of minimum tillage and animal manure on maize yields and soil organic carbon in sub?Saharan Africa: A meta?analysis. Environmental Challenges, 5, 100340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100340
Hörner, D., & Wollni, M. (2021). Integrated soil fertility management and household welfare in Ethiopia. Food Policy, 100, 102022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.102022
Infinium Global Research. (2022). Organic Vegetable Farming Market (Type - Pure Organic Farming and Integrated Organic Farming; Method - Soil Management, Weed Management, Polyculture, and Others; Crop Type - Leafy Greens, Marrow, Root, and Others): Global Industry Analysis, Trends, Size, Share and Forecasts to 2028. https://www.infiniumglobalresearch.com/reports/global-organic-vegetable-farming-market#:~:text=The%20organic%20vegetable%20farming%20market%20was%20valued%20at%20about%20USD,over%20the%20past%20few%20years.
Jochen, M., Frank, G.W., & Rob, R. (2020). Challenges in the acceleration of sustainability transitions. Environmental Research Letters 15(8). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab9468
Kaya, A & Bostanbudak, D. (2021). The role and importance of vegetables in the global economy and Turkey. EJONS International Journal on Mathematic, Engineering and Natural Sciences, 17 (1), 88-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.38063/ejons.380.
Lengai, G. M., Muthomi, J. W., & Mbega, E. R. (2020). Phytochemical activity and role of botanical pesticides in pest management for sustainable agricultural crop production. Scientific African, 7, e00239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00239
?uczka, W., & Kalinowski, S. (2020). Barriers to the Development of Organic Farming: A Polish Case Study. Agriculture, 10(11), 536. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10110536
Mukaila, R., Obetta, A.E., Awoyelu, F.E., Chiemela, C.J., & Ugwu, A.O. (2021). Marketing analysis of vegetables: the case of carrot and cucumber marketing in Enugu State, Nigeria. Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 9(2),346-351. http://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v9i2.346-351.4000
Musafiri, C. M., Kiboi, M., Macharia, J., Ng’etich, O. K., Okoti, M., Mulianga, B., Kosgei, D. K., & Ngetich, F. K. (2022). Does the adoption of minimum tillage improve sorghum yield among smallholders in Kenya? A counterfactual analysis. Soil and Tillage Research, 223, 105473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2022.105473
National Agricultural Products Quality Management Services, NAQS. (2023). Eco-friendly Products.http://www.naqs.go.kr/eng/contents/contents.do?menuId=MN20568#:~:text=Eco%2Dfriendly%20agricultural%20or%20livestock,production%20methods%20and%20materials%20used.
Nwonu, P.C., Nwobodo, C.E., Onwubuya, E.A., Obazi, S.A. (2022). Farmers’ use of sustainable production practices for yellow pepper crop in the Nsukka agricultural zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. Acta Universitatis Sapientiae Agriculture and Environment, 14(1), 13-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/ausae-2022-0002
Nyang'au, J.O., Mohamed, J.H., Mango, N., Makate, C & Wangeci, A.N. (2021). Smallholder farmers’ perception of climate change and adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices in Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii, Kenya. Heliyon, e06789, 1-10.
Octavia, D., Murniati, Suharti, S., Hani, A., Mindawati, N., Suratman, swestiani, D., Junaedi, A., Undaharta, N.K.E., Santosa, P.B., Wahyuningtyas, R.S., & Faubiany, V. (2023). Smart agroforestry for sustaining soil fertility and community livelihood. Forest Science and Technology, 19(4), 315–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/21580103.2023.2269970
Okonkwo-Emegha, K., Okafor, I.P., & Isibor, C.A. (2020). Constraints of organic farming technology among small-scale farmers in South-South Zone of Nigeria. Journal of Agripreneurship and Sustainable Development (JASD), 3(4).
Okonta, O. W., Ajala, A. O., Kolawole, E. A., Ogunjimi, S. I., & Adejumo, A. A. (2023). Willingness to Adopt Organic Farming Practices among Arable Crop Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension 27 (3), 41- 52. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jae.v27i3.5.
Olayemi, S.S., Oko, A.A., & Oduntan, F.A. (2020). Adoption of appropriate good agricultural practices (gaps) technologies among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. International Journal of Agricultural Research, Sustainability, and Food Sufficiency, 7(02),447-458.
Onyia, C.C., Chukwuone, N.A., Onah, O.G., Ugwu, C.U., Nnadi, O.I., & Ozioko, R.I. (2023). Awareness and willingness to pay for organic vegetables among farming households in Anambra State, Nigeria. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 25(5), 23504 -23524.
Pahalvi, H.N., Rafiya, L., Rashid, S., Nisar, B., Kamili, A.N. (2021). Chemical Fertilizers and Their Impact on Soil Health. In: Dar, G.H., Bhat, R.A., Mehmood, M.A., Hakeem, K.R. (eds) Microbiota and Biofertilizers, Vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61010-4_1.
Pelemo, J. J., Ajibola, B. O., Adeyemi, O. A., Shehu, M. & Adewumi, A. (2024). Adoption of climate-smart practices among arable crop farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension 28 (4) 110-119.
Prodhan, F.A., Haque, E., Afrad, S.I., Hoque, M.Z., Rokunuzzaman, M., Mohana, H.P., & Pervez, A.K.M. (2023). Factors driving the adoption of organic tea farming in the northern region of Bangladesh. Research in Globalization, 7.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resglo.2023.100145.
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture. (2021). The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2021. ISBN 978-3-03736-394-2.
Schader, C., Heidenreich, A., Kadzere, I., Egyir, I., Muriuki, A., Bandanaa, J., Clottey, J., Ndungu, J., Grovermann, C., Lazzarini, G., Blockeel, J., Borgemeister, C., Muller, A., Kabi, F., Fiaboe, K., Adamtey, N., Huber, B., Niggli, U., & Stolze, M. (2021). How is organic farming performing agronomically and economically in sub-Saharan Africa? Global Environmental Change, 70, 102325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102325
Sileshi, G.W., Mafongoya, P.L., & Nath, A.J. (2020). Agroforestry Systems for Improving Nutrient Recycling and Soil Fertility on Degraded Lands. In: Dagar, J.C., Gupta, S.R., Teketay, D. (eds) Agroforestry for Degraded Landscapes. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-4136-0_8
Singh, A., & Thakur, R.K. (2022). Understanding the perception, constraints and reasons for the adoption of organic farming. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education 22 (5). https://doi.org/10.54986/irjee/2022/dec_spl/110-117
Singh, A., Dhiman, N., Kar, A. K., Singh, D., Purohit, M. P., Ghosh, D., & Patnaik, S. (2020). Advances in controlled release pesticide formulations: Prospects to safer integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 385, 121525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121525
Souto, A.L., Sylvestre, M., Tölke. E.D., Tavares, J.F., Barbosa-Filho, J.M., & Cebrián-Torrejón, G. (2021). Plant-Derived Pesticides as an Alternative to Pest Management and Sustainable Agricultural Production: Prospects, Applications and Challenges. Molecules.26(16):4835. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26164835
Srivastava, A. K., Wu, Q. S., Mousavi, S. M., & Hota, D. (2021). Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Fruit Crops: An Overview. International Journal of Fruit Science, 21(1), 413–439. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538362.2021.1895034
The Business Research Company. (2023). Organic Vegetable Farming Global Market Report 2023. Providence Rd Media.
Tsufac, A.R., Awazi, N.P., & Yerima, B. P.K. (2021). Characterization of agroforestry systems and their effectiveness in soil fertility enhancement in the south-west region of Cameroon. Current Research in Environmental Sustainability, 3, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsust.2020.100024.
Touch, V., Tan, D. K., Cook, B. R., Liu, D. L., Cross, R., Tran, T. A., Utomo, A., Yous, S., Grunbuhel, C., & Cowie, A. (2024). Smallholder farmers’ challenges and opportunities: Implications for agricultural production, environment and food security. Journal of Environmental Management, 370, 122536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122536
Ukwuaba, I.C & Ileka, C.M. (2024). Determinants of the Extent of Use of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices by Farm Households in Southeast Nigeria. European Modern Studies Journal, 8(2) 43-56.
Ume, C.O., Onah, O.G., Okpukpara, B.C., Ume, N.C, Ukwuaba, I.C., Omeje, E.E., Chiemela, C.J., Chituru, I.J., & Orazulike, O. (2023). Factors influencing smallholder adoption of organic agriculture in Southeast geopolitical region of Nigeria. Sustainable Food Systems. http://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1173043
Usman, Z.O., Olagunju, K.O., & Ogunpaimo, O.R. (2021). Determinants of adoption of multiple sustainable agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. International Soil and Water Conservation Research,9(2), 241-248.
Wang, X., Dou, Z., Shi, X., Zou, C., Liu, D., Wang, Z., Guan, X., Sun, Y., Wu, G., Zhang, B., Li, J., Liang, B., Tang, L., Jiang, L., Sun, Z., Yang, J., Si, D., Zhao, H., Liu, B., . . . Chen, X. (2020). Innovative management programme reduces environmental impacts in Chinese vegetable production. Nature Food, 2(1), 47-53. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-00199-0
Willer, H., Schlatter, B., Trávní?ek, J., Kemper, L., Lernoud, J. (2020). The world of organic agriculture. Statistics and Emerging Trends 2020. The world of organic agriculture.
Wu, L., Jiang, Y., Zhao, F., He, X., Liu, H., & Yu, K. (2020). Increased organic fertilizer application and reduced chemical fertilizer application affect the soil properties and bacterial communities of grape rhizosphere soil. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66648-9.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ikenna Charles Ukwuaba, Chiziterem Benita Nze, Ridwan Mukaila , Sunday Ifeanyi Ukwuaba, Chukwuma Otum Ume, Emmanuel Ejiofor Omeje, Ogochukwu Gabriella Onah, Chris Nnamdi Onyekwe, Onyebuchi Jonathan Umeh
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
