Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 1049, Benin City, Nigeria; Department of Soil Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria; Department of Botany, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Esekhade, T.U., Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B. 1049, Benin City, Nigeria; Ogeh, J.S., Department of Soil Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria; Akpaja, E.O., Department of Botany, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
A survey to evaluate the impact of research findings on the agronomic, socio cultural as well as the economic base of small holder rubber farmers was conducted in two farm settlements on acid soils in Southern Nigeria. The survey was conducted to provide information on the present state of rubber-based cropping systems in the farm settlements with a view to conducting research oriented towards the management of the environmental resource base to ensure sustainability. Data was generated through a single-visit questionnaire survey of a sample of rubber farmers. Results however showed that all the farmers surveyed intercropped arable crops with rubber saplings. Melon/maize/cassava ranked the highest in the choice of cropping pattern in a 1 year cropping cycle. The mean rubber area of 1-5 years with 1.52 ha was the highest in the two farm settlements. Seventy percent of the farmers surveyed use chemical fertilizers. Cash income of N72,000 from rubber at Mbiri farm settlements ranked highest in the two farm settlements. The highest cash income from other crops was N55,000 and from Mbiri farm settlement. Non cash income was highest at Mbiri while mean gross income of N134,000 and mean net income of N42,000 was also highest at Mbiri farm settlements. On cropping pattern basis income that accrued to farmers were N17,000, N26,500 and N15,000 for rubber/melon/maize/cassava (1 year), rubber/melon/maize/yam/cassava (2 years) and rubber/melon/ pineapple (3 years), respectively. The study highlighted the need to take low input technology developed to farmers in the farm settlements. The lack of technical assistance have affected the net earnings of the settlers. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.