Constraints and use of indigenous leafy vegetables among rural farmers in Ona-Ara  Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the constraints and utilization of indigenous leafy vegetables by rural farmers in Ona-Ara, Oyo state, Nigeria. 107 respondents were chosen using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire, and the analysis tool was Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results indicated that the majority (56.1%) of respondents were male (56.1%) and married (81.3%), with a mean age and years of experience of 55 years and 14 years, respectively. The results on the use of indigenous leafy vegetables indicate that the majority (84.1%) of respondents used it to promote healthy growth and reduce the occurrence of malnutrition, 87.9 % used it to offer variety in the local diet, 91.6 % used it for medicinal purposes, and 82.2 % used it as a preventive measure against human diseases. Additionally, 86.5 % use it as a source of essential minerals. Additionally, 84.1 % of respondents agreed that it decreases the likelihood of malnutrition occurring. This also revealed a high prevalence of constraints (86.9 %) and that the majority of respondents faced severe constraints such as post-harvest losses caused by pests (91.6 %), a lack of training support (97.2 %), and a lack of adequate planting materials (90.7%), all of which impacted their level of use of indigenous vegetables. PPMC analysis revealed that respondents’ constraints (r=-0.030, p=0.760) had no significant effect on their use of indigenous leafy vegetables. It is therefore recommended that extension workers provide training to farmers in the study area on how to use indigenous leafy vegetables for a variety of purposes.