ABSTRACT

This study was on the factors affecting the adoption of environmental management systems by crops and livestock farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. This study was guided by the following specific objectives; to determine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents in the study area, identify the environmental management systems adopted by the farmers; determine the adoption rates of environmental management system (EMS), estimate the factors affecting the adoption of EMS, and finally determine the effect of adoption of EMS on farmers output in the study are. Hundred and ten respondents were randomly selected from the study areas, comprising 60 crop farmers and 50 livestock farmers. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect data used for the study. Results of the multiple regression analysis showed 67 .6°A of the Total variation in the value of output for crop farmers and 63.2% of the total variation in the value of output for livestock farmers as regards to the factors affecting the adoption were accounted for by the included variables. The second regression analysis review that 69.9% of the total variation in the value of output for crop farmers and 93.1% of total variation in the value of output for livestock farmers as it concern the effect of adoption of EMS on farmers output were explained by the included variable. Recommendations were proffered to ameliorate the problems include; that the general public should be educated on the need for environmental friendly activities. That even in the absence of "Mandatory", farmers should try and adopt more EMS "voluntarily" because of their own interest in their output and that of the environment.