ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CREATION THROUGH EXTENSION OFFICERS AND SUSTAINABLE CROP FARMING AMONG FEMALE FARMERS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which environmental awareness creation through extension officers influences sustainable crop farming among female farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, one hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. Literature review was carried out accordingly. Survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of seven hundred and ninety-one (791) respondents was used for the study. The sample was selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques. A four-point modified Likert scale instrument entitled Environmental Awareness Creation through Extension Officers and Sustainable Crop Farming Questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (EACTEOSCFQFGD). The questionnaire and focus group discussion was the main instrument used for data collection. The reliability estimate of the instruments was established through Cronbach Alpha reliability method .077. Regression analysis was the statistical technique employed to test the hypotheses under study. Each hypothesis was tested at .05 level of significance. The result of the analysis revealed that, extension officers significantly influenced sustainable crop farming. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that awareness creation through extension officers should be recommended to increase farmers’ awareness of the Health implications of Agro-chemicals they use and also to increase crop yield This should be done by educating female farmers through interactive discussion and training sessions on the field and incorporate safety use of Agro-chemicals in our educational curriculum.