Impact of agro forestry on household food security in Owo local government area of Ondo State

This paper investigated the impact of agroforestry on household food security. Data were collected by using structured interview schedule administered on 80 farmers that were randomly selected from 10 villages in the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, tables and mean were used for the analysis and chi-square (X²) was used to test the stated hypothesis.

Results showed that 85.0% of farmers were between the age of 31–60 years, 85.0% were male, 71.3% were literate while 68.0% cultivated between 1.0- 5.0 hectares of farm size. Analysis of the data collected revealed that about 83.0% of farmers intercropped food crops and tree crops. However, majority (91.3%) of farmers had been in farming for more than five (5) years. Agroforestry practices was adopted at varying degrees as citrus/arable intercropped (96.25%), Alley cropping, (73.75%) Taungya, (42.50%) and windbreak/shelterbelts (18.75%). Also majority (96.3%) indicated increased in their income after the adoption of agroforestry practices and impact of agroforestry was high on farmers household food security, while the factors limiting the adoption of agroforestry are labour intensiveness (97.5%) unavailability of money to hired labour and purchase agro-chemicals (71.25%)lack of genuine agro-chemicals, (56.25%). Lack of money for expansion of the farm (70.0%) seasonal infestation of pest and diseases which decreases production (92.50%) unavailability of land since trees plants deny other members from access to the use of land (96.25%) and stolen of crops (86.25%). The analysis performed on the relationship between agroforestry practices and impact on household food security revealed that there was significant relationship between provision o fuel wood (X²=17.35) provision ofcharcoal (X²= 19.40) provision of money/cash (X²= 21.24), improved soil fertility (X²= 24.63), drugs use in the household (X²=13.72) improved crops yield (X²=23.76) and agro forestry practices.