Knowledge of the Potentials and Constraints in Kenaf Production among Farmers in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out in the South west Nigeria to assess farmers' knowledge of the potentials and
constraints in kenaf production. Three states were selected for the study (Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti States) out of the
six states in Southwest. Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) zones in each state were used and a
multi-stage sampling technique was employed for the selection of farmers. Data were collected from 235
farmers across the 3 States using descriptive statistics such as mean, charts and percentages. The results show
that more males (70.2%) were involved in the farming activities than female (29.8%), the mean age of the
farmers was 48±22 years and the sources of agricultural information were mostly radio and extension agents
(53.2% and 48.1% respectively). The results further revealed that none of the farmers interviewed cultivate
kenaf. Farmers have little knowledge of the potentials of kenaf as 53.2% knows that the young kenaf plant can
be eaten as vegetable while 38.30% and 22.13% know that fibre from kenaf can be used to make produce bag
and extraction of oil for cooking respectively. Perceived constraints identified by farmers in kenaf cultivation
are non familiarity with the crop (x=1.92), lack of adequate information about kenaf crop (x=1.83) and lack of
knowledge on its utilization among others were ranked first, second and third respectively. It was therefore,
recommended that sensitization programme be organized for farmers to bring relevant information and
improve on extension coverage about the potentials of kenaf to the farmers in the south west Nigeria