Determinants Of Productivity Level Of Commercial Grasscutter Farmers In Oyo State

Abstract

Seventy-five registered grasscutter farmers were purposively sampled among association members and non-members. The data was collected through administration of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to determine relationship among variables. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were males (83.8%), married (78.4%) and had tertiary education (82.6%). Large proportion were Christians (51.4%) and 64.8% were within the age range of 30-50 years. The study however, showed that more than three-quarter (78.4%) obtained
more than 1.0 productivity and friends/neighbour (51.4%) and contact farmers (50%) were major sources of information. Home/farm sales (81.8%) was a major marketing channel used by the farmers. The average profit/gain made by respondents was N54,203 while sales of grasscutters was not seasonal but at any time of the year. Credit facilities diseases/pest/parasites and high cost of farming equipment and housing were
mentioned constraints. There was significant relationship between farmers' age and their productivity level (r = 0.30, p<0.05). The regression analysis returned a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.55. Knowledge of grasscutter management and practices (Beta = 0.494) was the greatest determinant of the productivity level.

Keywords: Grasscutter, Productivity, Livestock farming.

African Journal of Livestock Extension Vol. 5 2007: pp. 71-75