Assessment of Farmers’ Benefits Derived from Olam Organisation’s Sustainable Cocoa Production Extension Activities in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed farmers’ benefits derived from Olam organization’s sustainable cocoa production extension activities in Ondo state. Structured and validated interview schedule was used to collect relevant information from thirty cocoa farmers, using multistage random sampling technique from cocoa producing towns (Aponmu, Irese, Laagba, Bagbe, Oboto, Igbo-Ore, Igodo, Arogbo, Ago paanu and Agogo) used by Olam in the state. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean and correlation statistics. The findings revealed that cocoa farmers had benefited from the Olam’s extension activities in terms of improved knowledge and skill acquisition in cocoa production as well as economic gains in terms of yield and income. The result of correlation shows that the number of years spent in school (r = -0.389) and household size (r = -0.437) had negative and significant relationship with benefits derived from Olam organization. It was recommended that effective monitoring and evaluation team should be established by Olam organization to improve on the good performance already recorded.