Farmers’ involvement in under-utilized indigenous vegetable production: experiences and emerging issues from south-western Nigeria

This study examined the extent to which farmers’ groups are involved in production of under-utilized indegenous vegetables (UIVs) under NiCanVeg project and determined the variables influencing their involvement. It also reflected on the experiences gained on the various vegetable sites and some emerging issues were highlighted. All the 78 participating farmers (54 women and 24 men) under the Obafemi Awolowo University coordinating team were interviewed for the study using a well structured interview schedule. The mean age of the farmers was 41.9 years with a standard deviation of 1.39 years. The farmers were dominated by Christian (74.4%) with a mean annual income of N 7,000 from vegetable production. Among the ten UIVs investigated, garden egg (Solanum macrocarpon) was the major one grown by farmers while fire weed (Cresosocephalum crepidoides) was the least grown. Fertilizers, water pump and other agricultural inputs were indicated as the supports given on the programmes. Farm size (r=0.028, p≤0.01) and experience in UIVs production (r=0.279, p≤0.01) were established as the correlates of the level of involvement in UIVs production. Significant differences were found between gender and level of involvement in the UIVs. It can be concluded that differences exist between gender and farmers’ level of involvement in UIVs production as women dominate the production of the vegetables in the study area. It is necessary to empower women involved in UIVs by building their production capacity in order to increase their income. Also, emerging issues relating to land acquisition, water and labour supply, among others, should be critically addressed as impetus for vegetable production.