Comparative Analysis of Organic Fertilizer Use Among Waterleaf ( Talinum Triangulae ) and Fluted Pumpkin ( Telferia Occidentalis ) Vegetable Farmers in Owerri West LGA Imo State, Nigeria

Isaiah; G.I; Anyiam; K.H; Obi-Nwandikom; C.O; Okoro; F.N; Ukoha; I.I; Anyanwu; U.G.; Nwachukwu; E.U; EJike; O.U; Enoch; O.C; Obasi; A.C; Anyanwu; A.U.T; Madu; J.A; Bala; M.B; Onwuanuogu; k.C.

doi:10.56201/ijaes.vol.12.no5.2026.pg1.15

Comparative Analysis of Organic Fertilizer Use Among Waterleaf ( Talinum Triangulae ) and Fluted Pumpkin ( Telferia Occidentalis ) Vegetable Farmers in Owerri West LGA Imo State, Nigeria

Isaiah, G.I, ., Anyiam, K.H, ., Obi-Nwandikom, C.O, ., Okoro, F.N, ., Ukoha, I.I, ., Anyanwu, U.G., Nwachukwu, E.U, ., EJike, O.U, ., Enoch, O.C, ., Obasi, A.C, ., Anyanwu, A.U.T, ., Madu, J.A, ., Bala, M.B, ., and Onwuanuogu, k.C.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Owerri West LGA, Imo State, Nigeria, to compare the usage of organic fertilizers among waterleaf and fluted pumpkin farmers. The study objectives were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, fertilizer usage, net farm income, and profitability of the two types of farmers. Primary data was used for this study and was collected using a well-structured questionnaire. 60 vegetable farmers were sampled through a multi-stage and random sampling method. Results indicated that the mean age of waterleaf and fluted pumpkin farmers was 48 and 46 years respectively, with varying gender and marital status. Educational levels differed, with the majority having secondary education. Waterleaf farmers had a mean farming experience of 10 years, while fluted pumpkin farmers had 8 years; and a mean household size of 5 persons for waterleaf and 4 persons for fluted pumpkin, and the mean farm size of waterleaf farmers was 0.19 hectares while the fluted pumpkin was 0.30 hectares. Most waterleaf farmers used organic fertilizers (96.7%) compared to fluted pumpkin farmers (80%). Net farm income for waterleaf farmers was N984,895, and for fluted pumpkin farmers, it was N 4,645,135 per production cycle, after costs of N 489,905 and N 2,848,465 for the two farmers. Profitability for waterleaf farmers and fluted pumpkin farmers using organic fertilizer was 2.01 and 1.63 respectively, indicating the return on investment. I recommend that farmers should be given education and training on organic fertilizer production techniques, and stakeholders on soil management should train farmers in soil management techniques to enhance soil fertility for improved food production.

Keywords

Comparative analysisOrganic fertilizersnet farm incomeprofitability

References

Aboh C.L and Effiong J. (2019) examined the contribution of vegetable production to food security in the urban local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Anyiam K.H, Igwe K.C, Henri-Ukoha A, Ibeagwa O.B, Isaiah I.G, and Obi-Nwandikom C (2019) studied the determinants of productivity of food crop farmers in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Babasola O.J, Olaoye I.J, Alalade O.A, Matanmi B.M, and Olorunfemi O.D (2019) studied the factors affecting the use of organic fertilizer by vegetable farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria. Fapojuwo O.E, Ayodeji A.O., Okubena B.A, Ajayi M.T, and Idris O (2022) conducted a gender analysis of urban vegetable production in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria. They published their work on pp. 34-56. Morgan N.C, Wasini D.A, and Ogbolo (2021) carried out a profitability analysis of vegetable production in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Nwaiwu I.U, Ohajianya D.O, Orebiyi J.S, Eze C.C, and Ibekwe U.C (2013) investigated the determinants of agricultural sustainability in South East Nigeria. They published their findings in the International Journal of Agricultural Science Research and Technology in Extension and Education System. Oladapo A and Afolami C.A (2020) assessed the usage of organic fertilizers by vegetable farmers in Ondo State, South West Nigeria. Oyedele G.T, Wole-Alo F.I, Owolabi K.E, and Okunlola J.O (2018) explored small-scale farmer's perception on organic farming status in Ondo State, Nigeria. Sunday B.A, Uwemedimo E.O, and Itoro J.E (2022) explored the factors influencing the utilization of organic and inorganic fertilizers in small scale waterleaf production in Eket Agricultural Zone of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The National Population Commission provided data from the 2006 Census Report. Ume S.I, Udo E.V, Nnadozie A.K.O, and Nnadi J.O (2020) investigated the effect of fertilizer use on the environment and the determinants of the choice of nutrient management planning techniques by farmers in South East Nigeria.

Comparative Analysis of Organic Fertilizer Use Among Waterleaf ( Talinum Triangulae ) and Fluted Pumpkin ( Telferia Occidentalis ) Vegetable Farmers in Owerri West LGA Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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