ADOPTION OF CITRUS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FARMERS IN KASTINA-ALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Authors

  • E.N. Imbur
  • A.E. Agwu
  • O.M. Akinnagbe

Abstract

The study investigated the adoption of citrus production technologies among farmers in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state, Nigeria. Data were collected from 60 citrus farmers in the area through the use of structured interview schedule using simple random sampling technique. The findings revealed that a majority (86.7%) of the citrus farmers depended on family members as sources of labour required for citrus production and also financed citrus production activities with family and personal savings (46.7%). A greater percentage (o/ 0%) of the farmers intercropped citrus with cereals and tuber crops. Improved citrus species grown include Ibadan sweet, Valencia and Washington novel, Adult males / female played major roles in land preparation and marketing of citrus fruits. The finding showed that citrus farmers in the area had adopted and were using improved citrus production technologies like slashing at least twice yearly, planting of leguminous crops to .reduce weeds, use of improved citrus species and fire tracing. These are yield-increasing technologies that can boost the productivity of the local resource poor farmers and reduce poverty. However, high cost of fertilizers was rated the major limiting constraint militating against the adoption of citrus technologies in the area. The study therefore, highlights the need for government to create an enabling environment for enhanced citrus production through an institutionalized framework aimed at linking citrus farmers to formal sources of credit if the main target of the first Millennium Development Goal is to be achieved.

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Published

2018-10-14

How to Cite

Imbur, E., Agwu, A., & Akinnagbe, O. (2018). ADOPTION OF CITRUS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FARMERS IN KASTINA-ALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 11(01), 14–27. Retrieved from https://journal.aesonnigeria.org/index.php/jae/article/view/1636

Issue

Section

General Extension and Teaching Methods