Farmers’ Awareness and Adoption of Agro-Waste Innovations for Sustainable Food Production in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined farmers' awareness and utilisation of agro-waste innovations for sustainable food production in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 144 smallholder farmers, and data were analysed using percentages, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC), and Chi-square analysis. The results revealed high awareness of crop residues (85.4%) and poultry droppings (83.3%), while awareness of cassava peels was relatively low (46.5%). Major utilisation practices included selling agro-waste (61.8%), composting (57.6%), and using it as livestock feed (50.0%). However, some respondents still disposed of agro-waste through burning (25.7%) and open decomposition (40.3%). Reduced fertiliser cost was identified as the most important perceived benefit of agro-waste utilisation. The results further showed that farm size (r = 0.170) had a significant positive relationship with agro-waste utilisation. Livestock farming enterprise (χ² = 19.768) and awareness level (χ² = 8.967, p = 0.003) were also significantly associated with agro-waste utilisation. The study concludes that utilisation of agro-waste innovations among farmers is moderate and significantly influenced by awareness, farm size, and livestock farming enterprise. The study recommends strengthening extension services, raising awareness, and expanding access to agro-waste processing technologies to enhance sustainable food production and environmental management