ADOPTION OF COMPOST-BASED FERTILIZATION AMONG PEPPER FARMERS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA: EXTENSION APPROACHES AND YIELD OUTCOMES

Declining soil fertility and escalating synthetic fertilizer costs in southwestern Nigeria have intensified interest in locally produced organic amendments, yet farmer adoption of compost-based fertilization remains constrained by knowledge gaps, labour requirements, and uncertain economic returns. This study assessed adoption patterns, yield outcomes, and extension delivery preferences among pepper farmers exposed to plantain peel compost technology in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach combined a randomised controlled trial on 120 farmers' fields with structured interviews and focus group discussions during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. Four compost rates (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha−1) were evaluated on pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Tatase) in a randomised complete block design. Parallel household surveys examined adoption determinants, while focus groups elicited feedback on extension delivery methods. Results showed that 68% of exposed farmers adopted compost technology by the second season, with adoption strongly associated with farm size, extension contact frequency, and perceived economic benefit. Compost at 10 t ha−1 increased marketable fruit yield from 8.6 to 11.4 t ha−1 (a 32% gain), raised soil organic carbon from 0.64% to 0.89%, and increased available nitrogen from 42.6 to 60.8 mg kg−1. Farmers preferred demonstration plots and peer-farmer trainers over conventional extension lectures, citing visual evidence and trust as critical factors. The benefit–cost ratio of 2.3:1 at 10 t ha−1 (excluding family labour valued at opportunity cost) provided compelling economic justification. Labour requirements for compost production and initial scepticism about organic amendment efficacy emerged as primary adoption barriers. Integrating participatory demonstration with farmer-to-farmer extension accelerated adoption and offers a scalable pathway for sustainable pepper intensification and agricultural waste management in southwestern Nigeria.