Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Organic agricultural practices among small holder farmers in South Western Nigeria
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57598
the organic foods production act of 1990. Flame weeding delays the presence of weeds in crop
beds by killing the weeds present before the crop has breached the soil. This can significantly
reduce hand-weeding labor costs. Farmers see the use of fire as an easy and faster method of
clearing the weeds, trees and bushes particularly at the on-set of planting season when the
land is prepared. Besides, some farmers believe that when the land is prepared with fire, the
ash of the weeds, trees or residues that were burnt will make the soil to be fertile. Farmers see
the use of fire for clearing as cost-effective compared to the use of hired labour. Anon (1999)
reported that in Iowa, farmer feedback on flame weeding has been positive however burning
as labour-saving tool to clear land and to prevent weed infestation is now being brought into
question and many development agencies now advocate no-burning. In the communities,
however, it is less a question of burning or no-burning but rather when, where, and how to
reduce its negative impact (Aalangdong et al., 1999). Some northern farmers have made a
conscious decision to cease bush burning with the aim of regenerating organic material (Millar
et al 1996). Singh (2003) noted that organic farmers in India reported the capacity of manure
(compost) to fulfil nutrient demand of crops adequately and promote the activity of beneficial
macro-and micro-flora in the soil. Also, Ouédraogo et al (2001) showed that farmer was aware
of the role of compost in sustaining yield and improving soil quality. However, lack of
equipment and adequate organic material for making compost, land tenure and the intensive
labour required for making compost are major constraints for the adoption of compost
technology. Olayide et al (2011) assessing farm-level limitations and potentials for organic
agriculture in northern Nigeria, discovered that the current levels of organic fertilizer use as
share of the minimum requirements for take-off for organic agriculture in Nigeria was low
despite its potentials.
Vanlauwe, (2004) noted that livestock manure is important in maintaining soil organic matter
levels, a critical factor in soil health. Additionally, Omiti et al, (1999) noted that animal manure
compost is the most common source of soil amendment in organic agriculture in Nigeria and
indeed Africa. Farmers are fully aware of the fertilizing value of animal manure as well as the
differences, for example, in nutrient release between the manures as also reported by Dittoh
(1999) and Karbo et al. (1999). However, Mafongoya et al (2006) reported that in Africa, though,
animal manure is one of the mostly used organic inputs, but as the need for increased agri‐
cultural production rises; it has been found to be limited in quality and quantity. Williams
(1999) reported similar result among farmers in semi-arid West Africa.
However the use of natural pesticides (0.36, SD=0.6), farm scaping (0.16, SD=0.6) and Bio
control (0.13, SD=0.3) were below the actual mean which indicate non-use by the farmers. This
may be because these practices do not fit in to the farming system in the study areas. It can
also be attributed to the technicality of the use of these practices usch that the application of
the practices and the associated legislation and the process of securing permission for the use
of these practices.
