Unlocking the Economic Potentials of Leafy Vegetable: A Case Study of Farmers in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed the economic potentials of leafy vegetable among farmers in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Primary data were used for this study with a well- structured questionnaire and personal interview for the collection of the data with a sample size of 150 farmers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary technique and multiple regression analysis. The analysis of the data showed that about two-third of the farmers were male,74.7% married and the majority (58.7%) of the respondents were in their economic active age (41-50 years). Majority (94%) of the farmers were educated with the average farming experience of 14 years. The results also revealed that the major types of vegetables available in the study area were; Africa spinach, Pumpkin, water leaf, jute leaf and bitter leaf. The result on return on investment was 2.31, implying that for every N1 invested on vegetable production, there is a return of N2.31kobo which is an indication that the business is worthwhile. The study also revealed the gender, age of farmers, marital status, level of education and household size were the factors that significantly and positively influence leafy vegetable output in the area. The most serious problems encountered by the vegetable farmers were; inadequate capital, unstable price of vegetables, the incidence of pest, pilfering and theft and inadequate information. Thus, it is recommended that agricultural credit should be provided for vegetable farmers to boost vegetable production.

Impacts of Farm Business of School (FBS) Intervention on The Income of The Cocoa Farmers in Nigeria

“…The participants had an average of 29 years of farming experience while non-participants had an average of 25 years of farming experience. However, [42,43,44] opined that farmers with a reasonable level of experience in farming have sound decision-making. Farming experience among the group differ significantly, it was also found that cocoa farmers in Cross river and Ondo state are more experienced in cocoa production practices than cocoa farmers in Osun state.…”

“…According to [1,3,48], materials for the FBS are specially designed for farmers with limited resources, who need to be basically literate and numerate but who do not necessarily have any significant formal education. Education tends to have a positive association with new technology adoption among farmers because of better access to and comprehension of information on the technologies [44,49]. [50], however, argues that when an intervention has been there for relatively long time education may not significantly affect the decision to participate.…”