Evaluation of factors limiting agroforestry practice and tree species used by agroforestry farmers in Adamawa State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The agroforestry system is been practiced in almost all states. This study looked at the factors limiting the practice and tree species preferred by agroforestry farmers on their farms. Data were collected through the use of a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study show that 96.3% of the farmers were males, 57.7% of farmers fell within the bracket of 50 to 59 years, and 93.7% of farmers were married. The highest household size was found to be 6 to 10, 62.7% had formal education and 38.9% had farms size ranging from 1 to 5 ha. The results further indicated that 33.5% had 16 to 20 years of farming experience while 41.5% obtained their farmland through inheritances. Twelve percent of the agroforestry farmers preferred mango tree (Mangifera indica) on their agroforestry farms while 13.5% preferred banana (Musa spp) on their aquaforestry farms. The study further revealed the factors limiting agroforestry practices to include transportation (16.5%) pests and disease (13.6 %). It is therefore recommended that government should promote extension services by allocating funds to facilitate extension staff to reach agroforestry farmers to teach new ideas in eradicating pests and diseases.

Keywords: Agroforestry, challenge, preferred, tree species.