INVOLVEMENT OF ARABLE CROPS FARMERS IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN ONDO STATE

Organic agriculture is widely recognised for its potential to improve soil fertility, protect the environment, and reduce health risks associated with synthetic agrochemicals. However, farmers’ involvement in organic farming remains limited in Nigeria. This study assessed the involvement of arable crop farmers in organic agricultural production in Ondo State, Nigeria, focusing on socio-economic characteristics, perceptions, extent of involvement, influencing factors, and constraints. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 120 arable crop farmers selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure across six local government areas. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, and one-sample t-test, guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Results showed that respondents were predominantly male (71.7%), middle-aged (mean age = 49.33 ± 13.72 years), smallholder farmers with low formal education (47.5%) and mean farm size of 2.8 ± 1.6 ha. Farmers exhibited favourable perceptions of organic farming (grand mean = 3.99 ± 0.81), particularly regarding soil fertility improvement and reduced health risks. However, involvement in organic practices was low to moderate (grand mean = 2.54 ± 1.04), with higher participation in intercropping (4.00) and crop rotation (3.90) but minimal engagement in soil testing (1.89) and biofertilizer use (1.80). Access to information and training (mean = 4.32) was the most influential factor, while major constraints included limited organic inputs (71.7%) and lack of technical knowledge (68.3%). Awareness was positively correlated with involvement (r = 0.612, p < 0.05). The study concludes that positive perceptions alone are insufficient to drive organic farming involvement without adequate technical, institutional, and market support.