Adoption drivers of organic vegetable farming practices among vegetable farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The practice of organic agriculture (OA) in Nigeria has undergone expansion due, among other things, to consumer interest in food safety issues. Organic Farming (OF) is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro‑ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. The study investigated adoption drivers for organic vegetable farming practices among vegetable farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 120 organic vegetable farmers were sampled through a multistage sampling procedure, and survey questions were administered. Data were analysed using frequency counts, mean, and Ordinary Least Square (OLS). The majority of farmers had a good knowledge of Organic Vegetable Farming Practices (OVFP), which aids adoption and is a good signal for economic returns and sustainable livelihoods. The most rated of the three benefit domains was health, which averagely was rated high (x̅ = 1.38), while economic (x̅ = 1.04) and environmental conservation benefits (x̅ = 1.00) were both rated average; with enhanced good health and long life; reduced climate change effects, as well as generation of greenhouse gases and higher premiums in the marketplace identified as top health, environmental conservation, and economic benefits, respectively. Although the majority of farmers highly adopted OVFP, however, a closer examination of the few practices that the majority of the farmers did not adopt was of health and environmental significance. Farmers’ age, education, farm size, household size, knowledge, health, and economic benefits of OF were important drivers of adoption and practices of OF among Oyo State, Nigeria vegetable farmers. OF, therefore, is a sustainable agricultural approach that holds great potential for effectively contributing to local food security, the health of citizens, increased family health, and environmental standards.