This study investigated the factors determining adoption of rubber agroforestry decisions in Nigeria. Primary data on farming practices were collected from 200 samples of rubber smallholder farmers through a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistical procedures and the logistic econometric model. The results indicated that farmers’ participation in on-farm trial demonstrations, accessing agricultural knowledge through trainings, extension contact, education level, membership of farm organisation and attitude of farmers towards intercropping were positively associated with increased adoption of rubber agroforestry in Nigeria. Contacts with extension agents were significant at 1 % whereas other variables that were positively associated with rubber agroforestry systems were significant at 5 %. Adoption decision was based on the fact that rubber agroforestry would not only meet their food needs but also increase the household income. Variables such as off-farm income, average distance from rubber land to farmers’ residence, negatively influenced adoption of rubber agroforestry at 1 % and 10 % level, respectively. Social participation, household size, farming experience in growing rubber and other crops, did not significantly influence adoption. Based on these observations, policy inputs are provided.

A study to determine the financial benefits of intercropping immature rubber plantation with cassava in South Eastern Nigeria was carried out at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomo near Benin City. The study was set up in a randomized complete block design with each treatment replicated three times. Yield data generated were used to determine the profitability of the systems. The results showed economic yield from rubber as the rubber trees did not attain tappable girth throughout the duration of the study. a mean yield of about 25.72 tonnes of cassava tuber were generated from the sole cassava treatments for the four years period while a mean yield of about 22.92 tonnes of cassava tuber per hectare were generated from the cassava + rubber intercrop treatments in the same period. A total amount of 160,000 Naira was spent in four years as cost of intercropping. Total revenue generated from the sales of cassava in the rubber + cassava system was 900, 000.00 Naira per hectare with a Gross Margin and profit margin of 740,000 Naira and 673, 090.98 Naira respectively. A profitability index of the rubber + cassava system was 0.75, indicating that, 75% of the total amount invested in the rubber + cassava system was recovered in the first four years compared to the additional costs incurred in the sole rubber plantation treatment. This study showed that intercropping cassava with rubber during the immature phase of rubber plantation guarantee early return on investment and more profitable compared with sole rubber plantation systems.

Rubber Agroforestry System (RAS) is an innovative farming system contributing significantly to the livelihood of smallholders in Edo State. Data for this study were collected from 120 rubber smallholder farmers having a contiguous 2 hectares farmland with the aid of structured questionnaire using multistage sampling technique with a 3-stage design. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and budgetary analysis. The result revealed that majority of the RAS farmers were males, with an average mean age of 49 years and most of the RAS farmers had some level of education, they attained secondary and tertiary education with an average number of 8.3 years in education. Furthermore, the total annual revenue earned by the respondents was ₦992,500 ($ 2,756.94) with a mean annual net income of ₦527,003 ($ 1,463.90) while the return per naira invested was ₦1.69. This shows that for every ₦1 invested in the cropping combination in the RAS, there was a return of 69 kobo in the study area. Thus, RAS provides income and employment for smallholder community to be self-sufficient and economically independent. This study concludes that respondents valued RAS as an innovative sustainable agroforestry system capable of generating income and employment. Government therefore should leverage through adequate fiscal policy to enable easy credit facility by farmers