An Evaluation of the Level of Fertilizer Utilization for Cocoa Production in Nigeria

Abstract

Low soil fertility has been identified as one of the major causes of decline in yield of cocoa. The importance of fertilizer in ameliorating this problem will go a long way to boost cocoa production. This study therefore assessed the level at which fertilizer is being utilized in cocoa production in Nigeria. The study was carried out between May and June 2008 in five cocoa producing states in Nigeria. These were Ondo, Ekiti, Cross Rivers, Osun and Oyo States. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one hundred and ten respondents from the study area and the information was collected from the respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire. The data collected was analyzed with descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis. The result showed that majority of the respondents (78.2%) did not use fertilizer on their cocoa farms. It was also found that the major factors that determined the quantity of fertilizer used were farm size as well as price of fertilizer (P<0.01). It was therefore recommended that organized efforts should be put in place by the government and other stakeholders to educate, encourage and assist Nigerian cocoa farmers to urgently consider the option of guided fertilizer usage to boost the productivity of cocoa on their farms. Also, government should strive to make fertilizer available as at when due at subsidized rate, this would make it possible for the farmers to have access to the commodity anytime they want to use it.

Influences of Shading and Fertilization on on-Farm Yields of Cocoa in Ghana

“…Discussions with farmers on the study plots indicated that cocoa farm fertilization was done in an inconsistent manner over the previous years, depending on access and cost. This falls in line with Appiah et al (1997), who found that cocoa in Ghana is mainly produced by small-scale farmers using few fertilizers, and with Ogunlade et al (2009), who reported that most Nigerian Cocoa farmers do not use fertilizers. Hence, it is no surprise that the baseline soil information (Table 2) shows mixed and low availability of nutrients.…”

Attitude of farmers towards Non-Governmental Extension Organisations in Oyo-State, Nigeria

“…Commercial farmers may be more willing to pay because of the benefit they tend to derive from the services of these private extension agents. This corroborated Ogunlade et al (2009), that there is a strong and positive correlation between farm size, scale of operation and willingness to contribute to sustainable funding. However, 9.4% were not willing to pay.…”

Integrated Soil Fertility Management for Small Holder Cocoa Farms: Using Combination of Cocoa Pod Husk Based Compost and Mineral Fertilizers

“…This can be attributed to soil acidity, causing interference with the availability and uptake of certain nutrients, such as P [27], and the relatively low use of mineral fertilizers [30]. Our results of the farmers interviewed further confirms communications from earlier studies that have consistently shown that most Nigerian cocoa farmers do not use chemical fertilizers [31,4,32,33], hence inadequate nutrients in the soil.…”