Energy Use and Agribusiness Activities of Peri-Urban and Rural Farming Households in Selected States of South-Western Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue IX, September 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Energy Use and Agribusiness Activities of Peri-Urban and Rural Farming Households in Selected States of South-Western Nigeria

Okunola Solomon Olufemi*, Olagunju Funke Iyabo

Department of Agricultural Economics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author

Abstract:-Cooking is basic to human existence and soit is germane to the rural faming households, most of whom undertake agribusinesses in the rural and peri-urban of Nigerian cities and villages. It is used to transform food from the raw stage to another that is desirable for consumption. However, inefficient cooking practice in developing countries has resulted in significant environmental and health problems. This study therefore highlighted types of energy used, their effects and the need for clean and greener energy needed by the flora and fauna populations of the planet earth. Most respondents (23.3%) engaged in public sector employment which made them vulnerable when salaries were not paid especially when international economic dynamics were not in favor of the Nigerian crude. Fuel wood was mainly used for cooking (35.0%) and heating (24.3%). Charcoal, sawdust and gas were used for the same purposes. Kerosene was used for cooking (71.1%), heating (68.8%) and lighting (35.2%) while electricity was not only used for cooking (12.8%), heating (10.3%), lighting (78.4%) alone but for other things like refrigerating and drying (21.4%). The main problem of fuelwood was heath concerns (34.8%) while those of electricity were high price (21.4%) and scarcity (38.2%). Fluctuating price (68.8%) and high price (18.7%) were the problems encountered by the respondents as far as kerosene was concerned. Factors that influenced the choice of fuelwood as an energy source were community where respondents resided, significant (p<0.05), age, significant (p<0.05), education (p<0. 01) and various factors for other fuel types used in the study area.

Keywords: Cooking, biomass, pollution, flora and fauna

I. INTRODUCTION

Energy, livelihood and environment

Most businesses undertaken in rural and peri-urban of Nigerian cities and villages are agribusiness, small or agrarian in nature. They include firms and individuals handling inputs to the farm sector or produce farm products. They also handle the marketing, finance and process farm products, even individuals engaged in public sector employment combine one or more of these agribusiness ventures to supplement their job. Ecosystems, through the goods and services they provide, support human well-being.

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