Evaluation of Crop-Livestock Integration Systems among Farm Families at Adopted Villages of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services

Abstract

This study evaluated the level of access to knowledge, farm assets and inputs utilization in crop-livestock integration systems (CLIS) among rural farm families at NAERLS adopted villages. A total of 120 farm families were interviewed through structured questionnaire. Forty farm families were randomly chosen from two adopted villages each in South West, North Central and North West zones of NAERLS. The data obtained were analysed by frequency counts, percentages, means and standard error of the means. The results showed, among others, that 95.8% of farmers interviewed were aware of CLIS. Mixed cropping (70%) was majorly practiced. Cereals were cultivated at higher rates (88.3%) in all the agro-ecological zones. Poultry ranked highest (54.2%) among all the livestock being kept by the farmers. Farmers at NAERLS adopted villages practiced CLIS at subsistent level based on their indigenous knowledge and technology. The existing practices of CLIS by farmers at NAERLS adopted villages should be packaged into a model that can encourage profitability and sustainability of integration of crops and livestock.

Keywords: Crop-livestock integration systems, adopted village, farm family.