SUSTAINABLE UTILISATION OF AGROFORESTRY RELATED LAND USE PRACTICES AMONG FARMERS IN AKINYELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

The study assessed the sustainable utilisation of agroforestry related land use practices among farmers in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State. A multistage technique was used to select 50 respondents from the study area. A well-structured questionnaire and interview session was used to collect information from the respondents. Frequency distribution and percentages were used to explain the objectives while Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation used to test hypotheses. The findings showed that most respondents (76.0%) were male, 60.0% were in the age bracket of 41-50 years, married (46%) and farming occupation (96.0%). The benefits most of the respondents derived from the agroforestry related practices include the availability of more source of revenue (96.0%), increased crop yield (90.0%). The utilisation of agroforestry practices enhances income (98.0%), provision of shade for livestock (94.0%) and medicinal herbs (92.0%). The socio-economic characteristics, age (X²= 10.108, p>0.342) had no significant relationship with sustainable utilisation of agroforestry related land use practices. Benefits derived had significant correlation with sustainable utilisation of agroforestry related practices (r= 0.320, p< 0.023). In conclusion, there should be formation of cooperative groups and provision of adequate information from extension agents to improve the level of participation of farmers in agroforestry.