Multipurpose Uses of on-Farm Plants and Hedge Row Trees in Small Scale Farms of Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State

Abstract

This research looked into the analysis of smallholder farms with on-farm trees in Atiba Local Government area of Oyo state, Nigeria. The tree types, their uses and incentives to make them more abundantly available to combat carbon emission in and around smallholder farms were also studied.

Structured questionnaire and field verification were tools used to elicit information.

Data collected were analyzed using simple percentages and graphs. Logit regression model was used to measure the contribution of variables that aided farmers resolve to leave in-situ plants and hedge row trees on farms and even plant new ones.

Results showed that only old age farmers living in villages in the study area nurse on-farm trees on their farms (78.78%). All the farmers with trees on their farms are men (100%) with no women representation. Looking at the canopy diameter values of agro-forestry trees in the study area they are so wide and cover large expanse of farm lands.

Using on-farm trees for soup or condiments takes prime importance for the farmers at 100%. Other uses such as for food, timber, charcoal, firewood and shade fell to 80% each while using the trees for essential oil, antiseptic and chewing stick was lowest at 70%. The only variable with significant value at P <0.05 is LAN (Loan for small scale farmers with trees on their farms). However in the study area, the presence or absence of carbon credit (2.2), Training (3.1) and improvement on environmental effects of trees (2.4) effectively determine allowing hedgerow plants in farms by farmers. With the odd ratio of  2 for carbon credit, 3 for training and 2 for improvement on the environmental effects of trees, there is likelihood that farmers will indicate support for plants 2 times for carbon credit availability, 3 times if training is available to farmers and 2 times if there is improvement on the environmental effects of trees through hybridization.

Keywords: Agro-forestry, hedgerow plants, hybridization, Social forestry, recreational forestry