Assessment of Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Agronomic Crop Production Among Smallholder Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) levels of the smallholder farmers in Best Agronomic Practices (BAP) in crop production in Imo State. A sample size of 120 respondents (66.7 % males and 33.3% females) was realized via a multi- stage simple random sampling technique. Data generated via structured questionnaire and interview schedule were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. A mean age of 49 years, a mean household size of 6 persons, mean years of business experience of 16 years, a mean monthly income of ?30,683.33, and a mean farm size of 0.7 hectares were recorded respectively by the respondents. Seventeen percent of the respondents never had any extension contacts, and 83 % had between once every 2 years and once every month of extension contacts. Results showed high (X= 55.6 %) knowledge level, a moderate (X= 2.3) attitude level and a low (X= 1.92) practice level respectively in BAPs crop production. There was no significant relationship between the knowledge level and practice level in BAP on Crop Production. The study recommends that Government and other stakeholders should improve upon funding and management of extension delivery services in the study area in order for extension to effectively raise the practice level of the respondents in BAPs on crop production as to ensure sustainability of the environment.