Ugwuja et al. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1 (3), December 2011. ISSN: 2276-7770 Socio-economic Characteristics of Farmers as Correlates of Fertilizer Demand in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria: Implications for Agricultural Extension Ugwuja V.C., *1Adesope O.M., 2Odeyemi T.J., 3Matthews-njoku E.C., 1Olatunji S.O., 1Ifeanyi-Obi C.C. and 3Nwakwasi R. 1Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, 500001 2Federal Department of Agriculture, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 3Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria *Corresponding author’s Email: omadesope@ yahoo.co.uk Abstract: The importance of inorganic fertilizer to farmers is without doubt. This is because of the overriding effect on increased crop yield. This study examines the influence of farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics on fertilizer demand in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. Data were collected from 124 randomly selected respondents in the study area. Data analysis revealed that fertilizer demand was low generally per hectare and there was attendant price fluctuation of bags of fertilizer in the study area. The regression analysis revealed that farmer status, farming experience, age, educational level, marital status, household size, farm size, income, and land ownership significantly correlated with fertilizer demand among farmers in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. it was recommended that adequate awareness should be created by the State Agricultural Development Programme to generate interest of the farmers towards the use of fertilizer for enhanced yield and productivity. Efforts should also be made to reduce the Extension-farmer ratio so that a reasonable number of farmers can be reached with improved practice. Key words: Fertilizer consumption, farmers, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Return to Content [Full Article – PDF]
