Dry Season Vegetable Farming In The Floodplains Of River Katsina-Ala In Katsina-Ala Town Of Benue State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Dry season, vegetable, farming, floodplain, temperatureAbstract
The study assessed dry season vegetable farming in the floodplains of River Katsina-Ala in Benue State, Nigeria. The study sought to know the sociodemographic characteristics of dry season vegetable farmers, method of production and variety of vegetables grown as well as the average farm sizes and annual income derived. Data were collected from 160 dry season vegetables farmers using structured questionnaire, interviews and personal observation. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The result of the study shows that migrants of Hausa origin dominated the farm against the indigenous settlers of Tiv (13.1%) and Etulo (26.9%). Farm sizes were generally small less than a hectare accounted for 61.9%. Dominant variety of vegetables grown was spinach, tomatoes and okra. The study identified lack of capital, farm inputs, storage facilities and attacks by pests and diseases as the major constraints affecting the farming practice in the study area and recommended among others that agricultural extension services should be offered to the farmers on modern way and innovations of vegetable farming; and indigenous farmers should be enlighten to practice dry season vegetable farming to boost availability of the product during this season.
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