ANALYSIS OF FRUIT WASTE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AMONG FARMERS IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to analysed fruit waste management information among farmers and in Ovia North East Local Government Area. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to collect data from 75 respondents. Date were analysed with descriptive mean, frequency, percentage, standard deviation, and regression analysis. The result showed that majority (60.0%) of the fruits farmers were male, majority were above 61years old, 60% were married, with an average household size of 5 persons. The result also showed that majority 37.3% acquired secondary education with annual income of 493,247 naira. Furthermore, the result showed that mango and Pineapple are the most available waste in the study area. The result showed that Agricultural extension agent information source was not preferred (M =1.33), accessible (M = 1.06), available (M = 1.05) sources of information for management of fruit waste. However, fellow farmers sources of information was accessible (M = 2.31), available (M = 2.06) and preferred (M =2.0) sources of information for management of fruit waste. The result also showed that Frequency of contact with extension agent (t = 0.142) has a positive and significant relationship with waste management information used at 1% level of probability. The result showed that there was a significant relationship between preferences for information sources and usage for waste management among fruits farmers in the study area. Based on the findings of this study government should increase the availability and accessibility of extension agents by expanding extension service in rural area in order for extension workers to inform the farmers on how to manage their fruit waste.