Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Factors associated with fadama production of vegetables by small-scale farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria

Author(s):

A. Ibironke Okunlola

Recieved Date: 2009-05-08, Accepted Date: 2009-09-25

Abstract:

The need to develop a sustainable food production level that is capable of meeting the increasing food demand (especially of vegetables) in Nigeria is inevitable. The country cannot but have a self-reliant agricultural base for her industrial and human development, particularly through the production of vegetables – containing vitamin A, B and C, proteins and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus. A way to achieve this is to have an all year production which could be achieved through a virile fadama farming system. The study examined the factors affecting fadama production of leafy vegetables in Ondo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined accessibility and availability of inputs to the farmers, effect of Agricultural Extension activities on respondents, and the constraints to fadama production. One hundred randomly selected farmers from Ondo State were interviewed. The results showed that 84 percent of the farmers had small-scale farms with 45 percent cultivating leafy vegetables among other crops. The farmers identified high cost of inputs, transportation, and insect pests and disease infestations as major constraints to their production. The hypotheses tested showed that availability of market, credit and land influences fadama production. Effective agricultural extension system, good input procurement and distribution system and control of insect pests would contribute substantially to production of vegetables in Nigeria.

Keywords:

Fadama farming, farmers, leafy vegetables, accessibility and availability of inputs, constraints

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2009
Volume: 7
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 551-555

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