Assessment of Organic Fertilizer Usage by Garden Egg Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

© 2019 The Authors. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License Abstract. The study was undertaken to assess organic fertilizer usage by garden egg farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. The multistage sampling technique was used to select 80 garden egg farmers. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse data for the study. The mean age of respondents was 39 years. Fifty-five percent (55 %) of respondents were married. The majority (97.5 %) of the respondents used farmyard manure while the average cost of organic fertilizer was N57372.73. A lesser percentage (7.5 %) of respondents in the study applied over 2000 kg of organic fertilizer per hectare with 40 % applying twice per season. The perceived benefit of organic fertilizer was: improvement of soil fertility (2.95 ± 1.12), environment-friendly (2.99 ± 1.23). A constraint identified in the use of organic fertilizer was: slow effect (2.12 ± 1.43), Odorous nature (2.06 ± 1.28) and difficulty in the collection and handling of organic fertilizer (2.72 ± 1.03). The study among other things recommends that farmers be granted credits and extension services that will teach them the required skills in the handling and use of organic fertilizer.


INTRODUCTION
Vegetables (leafy and fruits) are broadly cultivated in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, in the rural areas, and they constitute the most reasonable and feasible source of micronutrients in diets. Garden egg originated from Tropical Africa [11] and derives its name from the shape of the fruit of some varieties which are white and shaped like chicken eggs [5]. The importance of the garden-egg cannot be overemphasized. It is consumed on daily basis by rural and urban dwellers and also represents the main source of income for producing households in West Africa [6]. Nutritionally, garden egg contains water (92.5 %), protein (1 %), fat (0.3 %), and carbohydrates (6 %). They contain between 30 and 50 % of iron (Fe), fiber, potassium (K), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and vitamins; thiamin (vitamin B1), B6, folate, magnesium and niacin. Egg-plant also contains phyto-nutrients such as nasunin and chlorogenic acid [19].
Degradation is widely acknowledged as a major factor limiting productivity of the sub-Saharan African smallholder farming systems [10]. This degradation is particularly predominant in areas of rapid population growth, continuous cropping, restricted use of organic inputs and high application of mineral fertilizers [12]. The seriousness of the soil degradation problem in West Africa has been shown to directly relate to land productivity [8]. Agriculture-based livelihood systems in Nigeria are very vulnerable to food insecurity especially in the low-lying areas of coastal southsouth; the flood prone areas of the south-west; the erosion prone areas of the south-east; the flood plain of the Niger-Benue trough, and the semi-arid/sahel drought/desertification prone areas of the north. Land and soil degradation presents a serious threat to the overall attainment of the food production and security in Nigeria. To continue to feed the ever-growing Nigerian population, there is an urgent need for effective soil management practices for optimal crop yields in all the agro-ecological zones of the country.
Enugu agriculture is characterized by soil infertility, due to continuous and over-use of chemicals, use of inorganic fertilizer, continuous cropping and mixed cropping experienced in the state [21]. Increasingly high inputs of chemical fertilizers during last 50 years have not only left soils degraded, polluted and less productive but have also posed severe health and environmental hazards [17]. Further disadvantages according to them include: 1. Overuse can result in negative effects such as leaching, pollution of water resources destruction of microorganisms and beneficial insects, crop susceptibility to disease attack, acidification or alkalization of the soil, or reduction in soil fertility, all of which cause irreparable damage to the overall ecosystem.
2. Oversupply of nitrogen leads to softening of plant tissue resulting in increased susceptibility to diseases and pests.
3. They reduce the colonization of plant roots with mycorrihizae and inhibit symbiotic nitrogen fixation by Rhizobia due to high nitrogen fertilization. 4. They enhance the decomposition of soil, which leads to degradation of soil structure.
Nutrients are easily lost from soils through fixation; leaching or gas emission and can lead to reduced fertilizer efficiency. Alternative sources of plant nutrients have now become highly imperative especially for garden egg production in Enugu State. There is need for use of organic fertilizer that will play a better role in tackling soil infertility and produce food free of harmful chemicals, because, demand for food and agricultural products is increasing as the world's population is growing (to a projected 9.6 billion people in 2050) and incomes are rising in much of the developing world. To satisfy added consumer demand, by 2050 global food production will have to increase by 60 % [3]. From the foregoing, this study was undertaken to assess organic fertilizer usage by garden egg farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: -identify varieties of garden egg produced; -ascertain the types of organic fertilizer used; -assess pattern of organic fertilizer application; -identify benefits of organic fertilizer use in garden egg production; -identify the problem and constraints of using organic fertilizer in garden egg production.
The hypothesis that guided the study is: there is no significance influence of socio-economic characteristics on quantity of organic fertilizer use.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in Enugu State, Nigeria. The population of the study consisted of all garden egg farmers in Enugu State. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting respondents. The first involved the random selection of two agricultural zones from the six agricultural zones that make up the state. In the second stage, two blocks were selected from each zone using simple random sampling technique. This gave a total of four (4) blocks. The third stage comprised of the selection of two cells from each of the four blocks through simple random sampling technique giving a total of 8 cells. The fourth stage was the selection of 10 farmers from each cell giving overall respondents of 80 garden egg farmers.
Data for the study was collected using semistructured interview schedule administered to the respondents. To achieve objective 1, respondents were asked to tick the variety of garden egg they cultivate from a list of garden egg varieties presented to them. Objective 2 was measured by asking respondents to indicate from a list the type of organic fertilizer used by them. Respondents were asked their pattern of application of organic fertilizer application to accomplish objective 3. A five-point Likert scale of; to no extent (0), to a small extent (1), to a moderate extent (2), to a large extent (3) and to a very large extent (4) was used to ascertain perceived benefits of organic fertilizer use in garden egg production. Variables with mean values of ≥ 2 were accepted as perceived benefits of using organic fertilizer in garden egg production while variables with mean values of < 2 were not accepted as perceived benefits of using organic fertilizer in garden egg production. To identify the constraints of using organic fertilizer in garden egg production, a five-point Likert scale of; not serious (0), serious (1), little serious (2), moderately serious (3) and very serious (4) was used. Variables with mean values of ≥ 2 were accepted as constraints in using organic fertilizer in garden egg production while variables with mean values of < 2 were not accepted as constraints in using organic fertilizer in garden egg production.
Percentage, mean and standard deviation were used in the presentation of results. Hypothesis for the study was analysed using multiple regression. The regression equation was: where Y -quantity of organic fertilizer used (dependent variable); a -constant term; b -regression coefficients; x1 -age of farmers; x2 -farming experience; x3 -input cost per planting season; x4 -income per planting season; x5 -household size; x6 -marital status; x7 -sex of farmers; U -error term.
Data generated from the interview were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 20 at 5 % level of probability.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socioeconomic characteristics of garden egg farmers. Table 1 show 58.8 % of the farmers were female, a clear indication that female farmers had interest in garden egg production.
Women represent a crucial resource in agriculture and the rural economy through roles as farmers, labourers and traders [18].
The average age of farmers was 39 years, while 55.0 % of the respondents were married and an average household size of 6 persons. The average age is a reflection that majority of the respondents were still within their economically active age and have the ability to synthesize and utilize information received on garden egg production. Additionally, having a good number of married people engaged in the garden egg production in the study area means that; the farmers could have more persons in the household to cater for and get help where necessary in carrying out their farm activities. Notes: * 1 Naira = 360 USD However, with an average household size of 6 persons, there would be competition for the available resources in these households because large family size could negatively affect household food security. Moderate household size allows for efficient and effective planning and time management which encourages higher productivity.
An average of 7 years farming experience in the garden egg cultivation reveal that farmers have acquired some measure of knowledge by experience to adequately produce garden eggs and possibly make sales within their locality (see Table  1). On the average, farmers cultivated less than a hectare (0.98 hectare) bringing to light that farmers in the study were smallholder farmers. This agrees with the findings of [9] that Nigerian agriculture is essentially small scale in structure as over 90 % of the farming population are holders of less than 6 hectares of land. This could further attest to the reason while the average input cost per planting season stood at N 88,026.88 while income per planting season stood at N 128,162.50. It can be inferred that these farmers are not having much returns on their investment on garden egg production.
Varieties of garden egg produced. As presented in Table 2, 52.5 % of the respondents cultivate the Kumba specie (Solanum melongena var. depressum L.) of garden egg while 47.5 % cultivate the Goli specie (Solanum melongena var. esculentum D).
The majority (95.0 %) of respondents cultivated garden egg during the raining season. Rain fed agriculture is dominant in Nigeria agriculture due to poor irrigation infrastructure. An implication that could be drawn from this is that, market value of garden egg may be low due to over production during the wet seasons. Data in Table 2 reveal that 77.5 % of the respondents sourced planting materials personally.
The higher percentage of farmers having their planting materials themselves could be because of proper preservation of seedlings for planting at the end of a production season.
Mixed cropping (75.0 %) was highly upheld by farmers (Table 2). Mixed farming could be of great benefit to farmers because they have the flexibility of cultivating more than one crop. The benefit could be in the maximization of limited land available for cultivation. Also, it is a good way to generate more revenue and be food/finance secure in the advent of poor performance of a particular crop. Farmers in the study (55.0 %) found it more comfortable to harvest garden eggs on a 5-7 days interval ( Table 2). This is contrary to [13] recommendation of 3-4 days harvesting interval. Morning hours (75.0 %) was found to be suitable in the harvesting of garden eggs as most farmers would prefer harvesting in the early hours of the day to avoid working under high intensity of the sun. Furthermore, garden egg marketers preferred early morning trade so they could move their commodities early enough to meet market demands by consumers. Duration for garden egg harvesting was found to peak at 3 months (32.4 %) with the least (1.3 %) at 5 months. Thirty-seven percent of respondents sorted their garden egg fruits after harvesting with 88.8 % bagging afterwards for onward sales to marketers. According to [15], goods produced and sold by farmers must be assembled, stored, transported, processed and delivered in the form needed, at the time and to the places desired by consumers.
On the average, farmers harvested 4,927 kg in a planting season (Table 2). This is rather low. A number of different factors can cause agricultural productivity to increase or decrease. It is important to note that productivity is not an absolute measure, but rather a reflection of the ratio between inputs and outputs. For agricultural productivity innovation is a key factor. If farmers want to increase their productivity, they need to farm smarter, by using innovative farm management systems.
Types of organic fertilizer used. Farmyard manure (97.5 %) ranked highest among the organic fertilizer used by farmers (Table 3). Green manure was less patronized thus it accounted for 7.5 %. Farmyard manure may have been engaged by farmers because it is fast absorbed by plants as opposed to green manure. More so, respondents sourced their organic manure from poultry waste (63.8 %) while green manure stood at seven percent (7.0 %).
Poultry manure could be sourced more by respondents due to it ready availability and the ease with which it is applied. However, the average amount spent by respondents in the purchase of organic manure in a planting season was N 57,372.73. This shows that respondents did not have enough resources to purchase organic manure. This in the long run could affect their overall yield. Notes: * 1 Naira = 360 USD Pattern of organic fertilizer application. Respondents (52.5 %) applied less than 500 kg quantity of organic fertilizer per planting season with an overall average of 1665 kg (Table 4). By implication, farmers applied far below what is expected. Authors [7] are of the view that 10 tonnes per hectare application of organic fertilizer will ensure optimum growth in vegetable production. Notes: *multiple responses.
Their assertion is further corroborated by those of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that 33t/ha of cow dung, 19 t/ha of sheep manure and 11 t/ha of air-dried poultry manure be used by farmers.
A greater proportion (40.0 %) of the respondents applied organic fertilizer twice per planting season in various stages of application (Table 4). Some (55.0 %) respondents applied organic fertilizer at the nursery stage with the highest application of organic fertilizer being at the vegetative state (75.1 %). Methods of organic fertilizer application ranged from broadcasting (32.5 %) to ring method (61.3 %). Ring method of application would have been adopted most because it limits weed access to nutrients released when the organic fertilizer begins to act. Omotosho and Shittu (2007) opined that ring method of fertilizer application is effective for the growth and yield of plant. Table 4 reveals that 77.5 % of the respondents do not treat organic fertilizer before use. This might not be unconnected with inadequate knowledge on the need to do so. Further deductions from this outcome could be that the garden egg farmers have poor contact with extension agents as such lack some important knowledge with respect to proper handling and use of organic fertilizers. Furthermore, 50.0 % of the respondents stored organic fertilizer in bags, an indication that farmers in the study used crude storage methods to keep their organic fertilizer. This may be due to the high cost of ideal storage materials. Organic fertilizer could have less effect on crops due to deterioration occasioned from poor storage.
Benefits of organic fertilizer use in garden egg production. Entries in Table 5 reveal major perceived benefits of using organic fertilizer in growing garden egg to be; its environment friendly nature (2.99 ± 1.23) as well as improvement of soil fertility (2.95 ± 1.12). These findings are consistent with previous studies by [16,20,22] that application of organic matter to the soil could also improve aggregate stability and resistance to soil compaction, enhanced fertility and reduced nutrient leaching, increased biological activity, enhance water retention capacity and reduction of greenhouse gases by soil carbon sequestration. Constraints of using organic fertilizer in garden egg production. The most profound problems and constraints affecting garden egg production as identified in the study include slow effect of organic fertilizers on crops (2.12 ± 1.43), odorous nature of organic fertilizer (2.06 ± 1.28), difficulty in collection and handling of organic fertilizer (2.72 ± 1.03), time consuming nature in its use (2.71 ± 1.12), and inadequate skill in handling organic fertilizers (2.04 ± 1.49). Consistent with previous studies by [1,4], the slow effect of organic fertilizer on crops can be an advantage and disadvantage at the same time because while the slowness may decrease current output, the long lasting effect of organic fertilizer due to the slow release of minerals may help decrease future cost of production and increase future output. Also, author [2] found that offensive odour, difficulty in transporting and doubtful efficacy is the constraints mitigating against the use of organic fertilizer. Influence of socioeconomic characteristics on quantity of organic fertilizer use. The result of the multiple regression analysis presented in Table 7 shows a significant influence (p<0.05) between the socio-economic characteristics of farmers and the quantity of organic fertilizer used.
The R square (R 2 ) and R square adjusted value were 0.829 and 0.812, respectively. This shows that about 82 % of the variance in the quantity of organic fertilizer applied by farmers was explained by the socio-economic variables included in the model. Variables that had significant influence on organic fertilizer use were: income per planting season (t=6.695; p<0.000), input cost per season of farmers (t=2.365; p<0.021) and sex (t=-2.264; p<0.027). Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected for these variables. Deductions from these significant variables would mean the more income and input per planting season, the more quantity of organic fertilizer would be used among garden egg farmers. Farmers tend to increase their input level to have an increased yield when they have more purchasing power. Age and farming experience had no significant influence on the quantity of organic fertilizer used by garden egg farmers. Hence the null hypothesis was accepted for these variables.

CONCLUSIONS
It is evident from the study that garden egg farmers in the study area used organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizer use will adequately enhance the production of garden egg in Enugu State of Nigeria. Nonetheless, the quantity applied was below the recommended rate for optimum yield. Likewise, the pattern of storage of organic fertilizer in the study area was archaic. Organic fertilizer could have less effect on crops due to deterioration occasioned from poor storage. It is therefore recommended that farmers be granted credits to purchase needed equipment to effectively handle the storage and use of organic fertilizer. Furthermore, extension services that will teach them the required skills in the handling and use of organic fertilizer should be put in place.