Utilization of Indigenous Knowledge Practices Among Crop Farmers in Ila Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the use of indigenous knowledge practices (IKPs) among crop farmers in Ila Local Government Area, Osun State,  Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents. Interview schedule was employed to elicit information on crop farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, IKPs mostly used, extent of IKP usage, benefits derived and the constraints faced in the use  of IKPs. Data was subjected to percentage, weighted mean score, chi-square and Pearson product moment correlation at p=0.05.  Findings revealed that most of the respondents were married (64.5%), female (54.8%), with a mean age of 40.5 years. The respondents’ primary occupation was farming (48.4%) and most of them personally sourced credit (56.7%). Also, many belonged to farmers’ clubs  (48.4%) with farm sizes of ≤2 hectares (76.7%). The most used IKP was for household health care (92.5%) while the most used IKPs on  domain basis were: food storage – sack (WMS 2.25); weeding – hoe (WMS 2.22); food processing – sun drying (WMS 2.15); land cultivation  – land clearing (WMS 2.28); soil conservation – mulching (WMS 2.06); household health care – bitter leaf and palm oil for  measles’ treatment (WMS 2.61); and pest control – indigenous trap (WMS 1.93). The percentage of those who used IKP was high (89.48%).  The most benefit derived from IKP usage was the ease of use (95.0%), while the major constraint faced was labour  intensiveness (91.7%). A significant relationship existed between farmers’ age (r=0.392, p=0.006), marital status (χ²=247.25, p=0.000), farm  size (r=0.266, p=0.003), primary occupation (χ²=13.69, p=0.002), main source of credit (χ²=43.32, p=0.000) and the extent of IKP  usage. Prevailing farmers’ characteristics that positively influence and support the use of IKPs should be documented. Hence, it is recommended that farmers should pool their resources to acquire farm machinery to ease the stress that comes with the use of IKPs and  to ensure sustainability.