Prospects and problems of vegetable production under irrigation in the Fadama areas of Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 120 vegetable farmers nested within 24 Fadama Users Associations (FUAs) in the State were randomly selected. Three categories of farmers were formed for easy analyses, namely: below 1.0ha, 1-2.99ha and 3-4.99ha, farmers. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire supplemented with secondary data. Tools for data analysis used are descriptive statistics and Ginni Concentration Ratio (GCR). The result shows that the per capita land availability increases from 0.05ha for below 1.0ha farmers to 0.27ha for 3-4.99ha farmers. There was also a tremendous increase in the yield of vegetables from 1991 to 1999. The vegetable growers also acquired many assets due to farming in the fadama areas. However, the important problems identified to be affecting vegetable production in the study area include inadequate credit, high cost of farm inputs and inadequate marketing outlets, among others. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 9 2005: 7-11