Ameliorative Strategies to Seasonal Scarcity of Fruits and Vegetables in Aba Urban Area of Abia State, Nigeria: Implication for Extension
Authors : O.N. Nwaogwugwu , C.M.N. Edna , A.C. Agumagu and O.M. Adesope
Abstract: This study investigated the ameliorative strategies to seasonal scarcity of fruits and vegetables in Aba urban Area of Abia State, Nigeria: Implication for extension. Four fruit and vegetable relief markets in the study area were randomly selected. Fifty respondents in each market were purposively sampled for data collection using structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was carried out using descriptive statistical tools. The results showed that while the seasonal availability of Gnetum bulchozianum (ukazi) (92%), Vernonia amygdelina (bitter leaf) (83%), telferia (78%), Allium cepa (onion) (64%), Cocos nucifera (coconut) (68%), Kola acuminate (kolanut) (92%), Garcinia kola (bitter cola) (94%), among others are all year round; Talinum triangulare (water leaf) (90%), cent leaf (84%), Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) (60%), Hibiscus esculenta (okra) (92%), garden egg (88%), among others are wet season and Oha (94%), Chrysophyllum albidum (Udara) (84%), Cashew (65%), among others are �dry season�. The ameliorative strategies include: involvement of more farmers in fruits and vegetable crop farming (
= 3.91), careful post harvest handling of fruits and vegetables (
= 3.84), adequate and improved processing methods (canned, dried, pickled, fermented and jams/juice) (
= 3.61), among others. It was recommended among others that public enlightenment should be stepped up through effective extension services on the consumption of fruits and vegetables in their processed forms and on safe post harvest handling procedures.
How to cite this article:
O.N. Nwaogwugwu , C.M.N. Edna , A.C. Agumagu and O.M. Adesope , 2008. Ameliorative Strategies to Seasonal Scarcity of Fruits and Vegetables in Aba Urban Area of Abia State, Nigeria: Implication for Extension. Agricultural Journal, 3: 388-391.