ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF FADAMA FARMING TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FARMERS IN SOME RURAL COMMUNITIES OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the contributions of Fadama Farming to the socio-economic status of farmers in selected areas of Oyo State. It intended to examine the personal and socio-economic characteristics of Fadama Farmers in the study area, examine the perception of farmers towards improved Fadama Farming in the study areas, and determines the relationship between Fadama Farmer’s perception and socio-economic status as well as to improve Fadama Farming in the study area. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected from two Local Government Areas (LGAs) which were Fadama Project participating i.e Orire and Afijio Local Government Areas. Secondary data were collected from other research works and current literature on Fadama and Urban Farming. Findings indicate that Fadama Farming was a male dominated enterprise in the study area. The unfavourable perception of the farmers towards Fadama Farming decreased as their socio-economic status improved. The study also revealed that farming experience and educational level had negative and significant relationship with perception of Fadama Farmers. The major sources of labour for Fadama farming in the study area were combination of other sources of labour and hired labour. It was recommended that there is need for more women and the young adults in the study area to be modified to include the needs for active participation in fadama farming.