American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (5): 852-859, 2016 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2016 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2016.16.5.12918 Corresponding Authors: Ubokudom E. Okon, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Tel: +2348028286019; +2348030757061. 852 Factors Influencing Adoption of Organic Vegetable Farming among Farm Households in South-South Region of Nigeria Ubokudom E. Okon and Idiong C. Idiong 1 2 Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria 1 Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 2 Abstract: Organic agriculture is being promoted all over the world to address environmental health problems resulting from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Despite the importance of organic agriculture, its adoption rate is still very low among farmers. Besides, organic farming policies in Nigeria to date are rare. Therefore, to encourage organic farming, this study examines the factors influencing vegetable farmers’ organic farming decisions in Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used in selecting 396 respondents from South-South region of Nigeria. Logistic regression analysis was estimated to ascertain the factors. The results showed that socio-economic factors such as farming experience, educational level and gender of the household heads, membership of organization, household income, land tenure status and farmers’ perception on organic farming had positive and significant influence on their decision to adopt organic farming. Conversely, age of the household heads and farm size had negative and significant influence on their decision to adopt organic farming. These observations suggest that policies should be formulated to take advantage of the factors that positively influence farmers’ organic farming adoption decisions which could also help in environmental sustainability. Key words: Logistic regression Multistage Perception Socio-economic Sustainability INTRODUCTION more than 25 years, it seems to have gained renewed The ever increasing human population and the principle in agricultural production. This is due to the high corresponding high demand for food have put social and environmental cost of modern high-input conventional agricultural production in a world-wide agriculture [7]. Sustainable agricultural system improves context hence, challenging its ability to sustainably feed soil fertility, protects the availability and quality of water the world in the nearest future. Advocates argue that and biodiversity, secures income of farmers and other conventional agriculture represents our only hope of actors in value chains and provides affordable food [6]. feeding the world. Another side of the debate notes that Organic farming is now seen as one approach that conventional methods of food production have incurred ensures agricultural sustainability. It depends on substantial direct and indirect costs due to heavy reliance natural biodiversity, rather than genetically altered on chemical fertilizers with detrimental effects on soil resources and the use of synthetic inputs [8]. health, human health and the ecosystem at large [1-4]. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Additionally, the routine use of pesticides and inorganic Movement (IFOAM) defined organic farming as “a fertilizer applications in the production of crops and production system that sustains the health of soils, animals seems not to be sustainable. In this context, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, organic farming that relies on soil conservation measures biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, and organic manure to restore and maintain soil function rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. [4] could sustainably feed our growing population with Organic agriculture combines traditional and scientific adequate and nutritious food without over-exhausting the methods to benefit the shared environment and promote earths’ available natural resources. Although the fair relationships and good quality of life for all involved” sustainability of agriculture has been on the agenda for [9]. interest [6] and has now become more of a guiding