ABSTRACT
This study is about the factors challenging plantation
agriculture in Edo state, A case study of Ovia North East Local Government
Area. Several factors were identified that challenged plantation farm. example
of such factors are lack of capital, use of old plantation, farm,
unavailability of land, lack of adequate farm implements, lack of governmental
support, access to market (transportation) lack of laborers, illiteracy, bad
road, networks, poor cultural practices and land tenures system, climate
condition e t c. A questionnaire approach was used to obtain data from farmer
in Ovia North East Local Government Area. The result of this analysis shows
that lack of capital was the main factor challenging plantation farming in Ovia
North East Local Government Area. This project work focuses on the two major
factors or types of plantation farming which are: Rubber plantation farming and
Cocoa plantation farming. We will come to see the problems or the challenges
that is affecting these two forms of plantation farming in Edo state,
especially Ovia North East Local Government Area worthy of note, is that these
factors are not only limited to cocoa and rubber plantation, but also affect
other types of plantation farming in Edo State. Knowing these problems that
affects cash-crop or plantation farming will expand our knowledge in putting
solution to such challenges.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of Problem
Objectives of the Study
Research Question
Significance of the Study
Scope of the Study
Limitation of the Study
Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE
Research Methodology
Design of Study
Population of the Study
Sampling and Sampling Techniques
Research Instrument
Administration of Research Instrument
CHAPTER FOUR
Data Analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary Implication of Findings
Recommendations
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRES
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Agriculture has always been the most important part of human
history because we as individuals, family, industrial and the nation as a whole
all depend on agriculture. Agriculture has played a long term activities in
Nigeria in general, including Edo state in particular, in providing varieties
of food and cash crops
Cash-crop has actually played an important role in Edo
state, in particular Ovia-north east local government area. Before the
discovery of crude-oil, cash-crops such as, palm oil, rubber (latex), cocoa
(cocoa beans) has always been boosting Nigeria from Brazil, it was an important
cash-crop. Nigeria at then used to export large quantities of rubber, oil and
cocoa. But in recent years, there has been a drastic reduction in rubber and
cocoa production in Nigeria. A total 207,500, which represent 86% of the
country’s land area under rubber cultivation on small holdings in 1966 declined
to 147,200 hectares in 198. Recently, field survey showed that more than two
thousand of the small holdings have been lost to other crops
Presently rubber production in Nigeria has decreased and the
rubber industries have continued to fold-up (Agra, 1986) the fact is that
Nigeria as a nation is presently drifting from being the exporter of cash-crop
(plantation produces) into a net importer in the nearest future. Something that
is also missing is that Nigeria as a country and Edo State have chosen to
forget the factors challenging plantation farming because of their newly found
means of finance.
For example, during 60’s (1960s) Nigeria used to have one of
the best quantity and quality of cocoa but during year 2000 the quantity? The
issue of fermentation was taken for granted cocoa was not permeated according
to its normal process. Farmers in Ovia-North East Local Government Area no
longer follow the processes of fermentation. Fermentation of cocoa is supposed
to last for six (6) days, but the day of harvesting has turned into the day of
drying pruning of cocoa trees is not views as important, removing of parasite
–inspected pod is not followed regularly clearing around cocoa trees is no
longer effective. All these vital principles have been left behind by farmers
and also the government. That is why this project work is going to open our
mind and broaden our knowledge on factors that is affecting plantation farming
in Edo state under Ovia-north east local government of Nigeria
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
There are a lot of factors affecting plantation farming in
Edo state to be specific in Ovia-north east do not have the knowledge of
plantation. Agriculture also the varieties of plantation farms within and
around Ovia-north east shows that plantation farms are poorly managed due to
lack of capital, orientation and literacy. The important question or issues is
what is the reason for the drastic turn down or reduction in production of
plantation produces, especially in Ovia-North East Local Government area of
Nigeria
1.3PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the studies are:
The identify the problem of plantation farming in the study
area
To bring out the main challenges or factors so that farmers
can easily identify it and put a solution to such problem
To confirm the acclaimed decline in cocoa and rubber
production in Ovia North East Local Government Area.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION
The study will be guide by the following
What are the factors challenging plantation farming in
ovia-north east local government area?
What are the ways in which these factors can be improved?
How can knowing the factors help in improving the present
condition we find ourselves with regard to plantation farming?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCEOF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study lies in the fact that it will make
the necessary suggestion and recommendation to government and plantation
farmers (cocoa and rubber) about the problem of plantation farming.
The importance of this study is based on the need to exploit
other sources of earning foreign exchange for the country. Since the discovery
of crude-oil plantation farming or agriculture has not been given serious
attention by the government. This study will help to bring out the factor that
is challenging plantation farming by analyzing every details affecting
plantation farming so that any individual or farmer going into plantation
agriculture will be able to succeed just by knowing the challenging he may
encounter in the near future.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study will cover the problems or factors
challenging plantation agriculture in Edo state, under Ovia-North East Local
Government.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Plantation Agriculture: A large area of land, where crop
such as coffee, cocoa rubber are grown
Cocoa: this is a fruit tree that produces pod that are
filled with beans
Rubber: this is a tree that produces latex which is used in
producing material such as cups, tyres, boots, electrical and gloves e t c.