Title: Prospects and problems of using Jatropha cake as organic fertiliser among crop farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Authors: Adebayo Olowoake; Grace Abolaji; Olayinka Yusuf; Ibrahim Ayanda; Felicia Olooto

Addresses: Department of Crop Production, Kwara State University, P.M.B. 1530, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Kwara State University, P.M.B. 1530, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Kwara State University, P.M.B. 1530, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Kwara State University, P.M.B. 1530, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Services, Kwara State University, P.M.B. 1530, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract: The study investigated prospects and problems of Jatropha cake as organic fertiliser in Nigeria. All members of Jatropha Farmers Group in Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria (106) were purposively selected for the study. Interview schedule was used for data collection while frequency counts and percentage were used for data analysis. Results showed that average yield of Jatropha was 2.94 kg/ha while the quantity of Jatropha cake processed per farmer was 11.9 kg. Majority (76.5%) of the farmers indicated that Jatropha cake supported high crop yield. Also, 79.3% were favourably disposed to continuous use of Jatropha cake, indicating acceptability of the cake and prospects for market availability. Availability of Jatropha seeds ranked highest amongst constraints to Jatropha production followed by inadequate processing technologies. In conclusion, Jatropha cake was adjudged as having potentials to fill the gap of farmers' fertiliser requirements through increased availability of Jatropha cake via sustained Jatropha cultivation.

Keywords: low fertiliser application; organic fertiliser; mechanised processing; improving Jatropha seed yield.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2018.090854

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2018 Vol.14 No.1, pp.80 - 90

Received: 20 May 2017
Accepted: 08 Jan 2018
Published online: 28 Mar 2018 *

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