Abstract

The study examined Smallholder farmers’ perception of sustainable agricultural practices (SAP) in Ilorin East LGA, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, identified farmers’ sources of information on SAP, examined farmers’ perception of SAP, and identified the constraints faced by farmers in the adoption of SAP. Using a multistage sampling procedure, a total of 175 smallholder farmers were sampled. The primary data was obtained through interview schedule. The obtained data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percentages, mean, and standard deviation; and inferential statistic used was Logit regression. The mean age was 43.2 years with standard deviation of 10.4, and majority were males (63.4%) and married (61.7%). Only 12.5% lacked formal education, a total of 87.4% had formal education and extension agency (86.2%) was the most common source of information on SAP. Respondents had a favourable perception towards SAP such as low chemical input (±4.51), minimise adverse effects on health, safety, wildlife, water quality and environment (±4.42) and abundant food production without depleting the earth’s resources (±4.41). Foremost constraints include …Lack of awareness of SAPs (M = 2.73) and Lack of adequate capital for SAPs (M= 2.70). It is therefore concluded that most of the farmers perceive SAPs as beneficial, with only a few disagreeing and their main. sources of information on SAPs are extension agencies, providing farmers with accurate and relevant information to improve farmers’ understanding of SAPs, their benefits and implementation by Ministry of Agriculture and relevant Agricultural agencies is recommended.

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