ABSTRACT

This study investigated the existing traditional Agroforestry systems used by farmers in Ebonyi State to increase food production. The study covered fifteen extension service blocks of the State Agricultural Development Programme. A sample of one hundred and fifty-five respondents were randomly selected from the blocks and used for the study. Data were collected from the respondents using interview schedule. Percentages, frequencies, mean scores, and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings showed that majority (83.87%) of the respondents were males. Majority (54.84%) of the respondents belonged to the age range of 40-59 years. Most of the respondents had low level of education primary school (49.03%) with only (8.39%) having tertiary education, farming experience of 10-20 years (55.48%), most of the respondents (91.61%) had farm size of less than 5 hectares, and 77.42% of the respondents owned the land cultivated. The study also found that bush fallow system (l00%), homestead system (73.55%), live-tree fencing system (64.52%) and scattered farm-tree system (74.54%) were the major traditional agro-forestry systems existing and practiced by the respondents. The main reason why the respondents engaged in these practices were because of greater fertility of farmlands under tree cover and for some economic benefits derived from the associated trees and shrubs. Respondents also indicated favourable attitude toward retaining trees/shrubs in farms as sources of staking and fencing materials, green manure, income, food and forages. Obstruction during cultivation and shading of food crops by trees, land tenure, reduce food crop population, extra labour for management of trees and inadequate information on tree management were perceived by the respondents as constraints affecting the practice of traditional agroforestry systems in Ebonyi State. The regression result shows that the coefficient of multiple determination R2was lO.2% and the F- ratio 3.382. The result also indicated that farm size and educational background were significant and positive at l% and S% level respectively on the attitude of farmers towards agroforestry systems, while farming experience was also significant at l% level and negatively related to attitude of farmers towards agroforestry systems in the state.