FARMERS’ AWARENESS, PERCEPTION, WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN AGRITOURISM IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assessed the awareness, perceptions, and willingness to participate in agritourism by farmers in Abia state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select 120 farmers used for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentage and mean scores. The result showed that there was limited awareness of agritourism in the State among farmers. The farmers perceived agritourism as viable option to embark upon. Farmers were very willing to establish agritourism but were most challenged by lack of finance and the technical know-how on how to go about the establishment of agritourism centers in rural areas. The study recommended that extension agents should view this as a new responsibility in the State for advancing farming business by increasing farmer’ awareness, encouraging their willingness to participate, and assisting them in overcoming the numerous challenges that impede farmers' ability to establish agritourism centers in rural areas of the State.