On-farm adoption of under-utilized indigenous vegetable production among small holder farmers in Nigeria: Implication for economic empowerment and genetic conservation

摘要

Adoption of some indigenous vegetables that are grown and consumed by local farmers along with arable crops, to serve as means of nutrient sufficiency, especially small holder farmers in Nigeria was carried out using extension approaches with the aim of increasing food security, farm income and conserving vegetables. Multi-stage participatory extension approach was used first to purposefully select five states in the southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected through the use of structured interview scheduled consisting of open and close ended questions on personal socio-economic characteristics, the cropping system, available vegetables and other factors. In addition, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide was used to elicit qualitative data such as socio-cultural status, effect of community norms on the vegetables and factors influencing the production. Interview schedule and Focus Group Discussion guide were subjected to content validity. Simple descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency, percentages, means and standard deviation were used to analyze and summarize the data. The project revealed a high level of adoption due to the increase knowledge of the nutritional potentials of some of the vegetables. Agronomic performances of the vegetables in on-farm plots significantly showed the economic potentials of the vegetables and led to significant increase in the farmers’ income as more of the vegetables were produced and sold and the on-farm sites served as ex-situ means of conservation. Improved handling of the vegetables and thus reduced genetic disappearance.