Evaluation of Crop-Livestock Integration Systems among Rural Farm Families at NAERLS Adopted Villages
It is important to note that there exist an interaction between resources in crop and livestock integrated system. Recycling allow for maximum use of available resources. Such integration is often considered as a step forward in effective utilization of resources, but smallholder farmers need to ha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria
2015-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agricultural Extension |
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| Online Access: | http://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/449 |
| Summary: | It is important to note that there exist an interaction between resources in crop and livestock integrated system. Recycling allow for maximum use of available resources. Such integration is often considered as a step forward in effective utilization of resources, but smallholder farmers need to have sufficient access to knowledge, required assets and inputs to manage this system in a way that is economically and environmentally sustainable over a long term. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the level of access to knowledge, farm assets and inputs utilization in crop-livestock integration systems (CLIS) among rural farm families at NAERLS adopted villages. A total of 120 farm families were interviewed through structured questionnaire. Forty farm families were randomly chosen from two adopted villages each in South West, North Central and North West zones of NAERLS. The data obtained were analysed by frequency counts, percentages, means and standard error of the means. The results showed, among others, that 95.8% of farmers interviewed were aware of CLIS. Mixed cropping (70%) was majorly practiced. Cereals were cultivated at higher rates (88.3%) in all the agro-ecological zones. Poultry ranked highest (54.2%) among all the livestock being kept by the farmers. Farmers at NAERLS adopted villages practiced CLIS at subsistent level based on their indigenous knowledge and technology. More extension support services needs to be provided to farmers to upscale the CLIS among rural farm families. To cope with organizational constraints and economic viability, crop-livestock integration systems should be designed with local stakeholders.
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| ISSN: | 1119-944X 2408-6851 |