ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of
mechanized farming in the economic development of Oredo Local Government Area
of Edo State. The study consists of five chapters. Chapter one was the
introduction of the study on the impact of mechanized farming. However, the
significance of the study was highlighted in addition to the problems
encountered by the researcher in the course of investigation. Chapter two
focused on the review of related while the third chapter was on methodology.
Area considered under this section are the population, sampling procedures,
instrumentation of validity and research instruments, method of data collection
and method of data analysis, administration of questionnaire. Chapter four was
devoted to data analysis. In fact, the researcher adopted the use of simple
percentages to analyze the data collected by means of questionnaires. On a final
note was chapter five, devoted to summary conclusion and recommendations that
will assist the farmer n how to improve on farming with the aid of
mechanization.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Purpose of study
Limitations of the study
Scope of the study
Significance of the study
Statement of the problem
CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
The study area
Population of the study
Sample method
Sample size
Research instrument
Organization of data
Statistical methods of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
Data analysis and presentation
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendations
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRES
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Oredo is one of the local government areas of Edo State. It
is situated in the western part of Nigeria, and it lies on the rain forest belt
of the vegetation. Naturally, it is endowed with fertile land for the
cultivation of crops. Agriculture is not only concerned with the cultivation of
the soil for the production of crops. The main comprehensive definition is that
agriculture is concerned basically with the husbandry of crops and animals for
food and for commercial purposes.
Mechanized farming plays a vital role in Edo State
especially in the development of the secondary and tertiary sectors. During the
pre-civil war in Nigeria, the predominant occupation in Edo State was
agriculture and it was the main stay of the Nigerian economy. Besides other
types of occupation existed, these are teaching, printing, trading etc but
agriculture outplays them all. Farming can be traced to the earliest
traditional societies although yet primitive they often gather wild fruits and
roots for food and throw off the seeds in their surroundings. Though this
process of trial and error, cultivation of crops started in the dwelling food
and shelter are basic necessities for human existences and both originated from
farming activities, workers in the secondary and tertiary relies on farming for
their final output.
Also, mechanized farming provides empowerment into
agricultural opportunity to the labour force through direct employment into
agricultural and its interrelated industries and manufacturing sectors. For
this sector contribute efficiently, there is the implementation of good
management, marketing, adequate returns to farmers and the better utilization
of land available and provision of storage facilities. The failure of the
country to adopt these innovative practices is accountable for the current food
shortages, high prices, mass unemployment, under utilization of industrial
result of this failure. Even though the nation progressed, the proportion of
agricultural contribution to the gross domestic product becomes thinner because
of the predominant peasant system of cultivation. The system is also
characterized by the use of simple system is also characterized by the use of
simple tools like fertilizers, chemicals and improved seeds are not widely used
by most farmers.
The poor performances of the agricultural sector to provide
adequate food for the growing population declining, productivity of most export
crops which has contributed to substantial reduction in foreign exchange
earnings and the declining condition of farming to gross domestic product in
real terms. The report of the food strategy mission estimated that in 1982, the
supply and demand for all food crops was about 2.5 million metric tones and the
projected gap for 1985 was about 4.7 million metric tones. The study group on
food production provided more detailed estimate of gaps between projected
demand and supply for various commodities. These are presented in table 1.1
below projected food supply and demand compared 000 metric tones.
Commodity
Projected DD 1985
Domestic production projected SS 1985
Gaps
Rice
1791
975
-816
Maize
2634
2374
-260
Cassava
13300
10000
-33000
Groundnut
560
300
-260
Palm Oil
1012
578
-434
Sugar
4,000
80
-3920
Bean
400
156
-244
Poultry for eggs
260
200
-60
Poultry for meat
250
126
-124
Fish
795
595
-200
Yam
848
535
-313
Source: Nigerian Agricultural Sector Report (1988, pg 28).
As far as agriculture export are concerned, the data
available shows that performance of the sub-sector is on the decline. The
country has become a large importer of palm oil for which she was well noted as
one of the worlds exporter in previous years.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major objective of this study is to;
Examine the impact of mechanized farming in Oredo Local
Government Area.
Identify problems facing agriculture in the development of
Oredo Local Government Area.
Propose solutions to minimize such problem.
HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY
Farming should be seen as the life were of economic
development of any nation. Hence, our hypothesis for this study is stated as
increased agricultural production influences economic development in Oredo
Local Government and Nigeria at large. Also, we can state a null hypothesis as
this increased agricultural production does not influence economic development
in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.
NEED FOR THE STUDY
We all know that the coming of oil has created structural
distortions and disturbance in the economy and that on the run, the wheel of
their progress can only smooth when the economy is based on mechanized farming.
Apart from the shift of interest as a result of oil well, other problems that
account for the decline are conservative attitude of farmer’s poor marketing
facilities in rural area etc. to the
best of my knowledge this areas has not been exhaustively researched upon hence
this study seeks to bridge the gap.
METHODOLOGY
Primary and secondary data are used. These involve personal
interview, observation and review of published materials in the form of
journals, newspapers, handouts, reports and textbooks, for the purpose of
gathering information for this work.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this project cores the meaning, type of
agriculture, impact of mechanized farming.
STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
In this study, the investigator is being guided by the
following research questions.
Do you carryout mechanization farming?
Government intervention is needed in agricultural production
in Oredo.
Farmers have the modern method of farming?
Financial institution give loan without collateral
Purchase modern implement for farming.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Mechanized: Of or pertaining to operation using machinery
Agrarian: A person who advocated the political interests of
working farmers.
Plantation: Large farm, estate area of land designated for
agricultural growth of ten includes housing for the owner and workers.