Prospects of Selected Forest Fruits and Vegetables in Enugu North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

International Journal Of Agricultural Science, Research And Technology In Extension And Education Systems

مقاله 1، دوره 3، شماره 4، اسفند 2013، صفحه 173-180   

نویسندگان

Eneje N.C.؛ Onwubuya E.A.؛ Mbah E.N^*

Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, University of Agriculture, Makurdi

چکیده

The study examined prospects of selected forest fruits and vegetables in Enugu North Agricultural zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. Structured interview schedule and focus group discussion were used to collect data from a sample of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Data were analyzed using matrix rank ordering, percentage, mean scores and standard deviation. Results of the study identified about twenty forest fruits and vegetables that are of both economic and dietary importance to the respondents. The forest fruits and vegetables identified with their botanical and common names in order of importance include: Prosopis africana (okpeyi) (M = 2.96), Irvingia gabonensiss/wombolus (ogbono) (M = 2.79), Treculia africana (ukwa) (M = 2.76), Parkia spp (ugba) (M = 2.75). Pterocarpus spp (oha) (M = 2.55) and Pergularia spp. (utazi) (M = 2.55). Others include Xylopia aethiopica (uda) (M=2.50), Piper nigrum (uziza) (M = 2.40), Gnetum africanum (ukazi) (M = 2.38), Chrysophylium africanum (udara) (M = 2.34) Garcinia kola (akuilu) (M = 2.32), among others. These forest fruits and vegetables are very important to mankind considering the potentials economically, culturally nutritionally, medically and environmentally. Constraints to access and utilization were poor storage facilities (M=2.38), transportation problems (M=2.38), lack of modern processing technology (M=2.38), insect pests and diseases (M=2.36), deforestation and land degradation (M= 2.35), destruction of forests by fire resulting as a result of bush burning (M= 2.30), poor yield (M=2.19), deterioration/perishability (wastages) (M=2.18), among others. The study recommends that efforts are highly needed by government at the local level to involve local community leaders in enforcing laws to reduce deforestation and bush burning in order to avoid destruction of forest products and exploitation of the valuable forest resources. It highlights the involvement of government in providing adequate rural infrastructure in order to encourage establishment of rural agro-processing industries by investors to prevent losses emanating from spoilage of the products, ensure food security, and create employment opportunities thus reducing poverty and vulnerability among rural folks.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Forests؛ Fruits؛ Vegetables؛ Benefits؛ Enugu State؛ Nigeria

مراجع

1) Ajani, E. N. (2012). Occupational diversification among rural women in Anambra State, Nigeria PhD Thesis, Department of Agricultural Extension University of Nigeria Nsukka, 71-72.

2) Ajayi, A. R. and Eneje, C. N. (1998). Preference for Nsukka Yellow Pepper among growers and consumers in Nsukka Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. Proceeding of 15th HORTSON Conference NIHORT, Ibadan 8th – 11th April 1998.

3) Ani, A. O. (2007). Agricultural Extension: A pathway for Sustainable Agricultural Development. Apani publications,Kaduna, 18-50.

4) Anyadike, R. N. (2009). Implications of Climate Change for Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Sustainable Development. A Seminar Organized by African Institute of Applied Economics, Enugu.

5) Are, L. A., Igbokwe, E. M., Asadu, C. L. A. and Bawa, G. S. (2010). Comprehensive Certificate Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools. University Press Plc. Ibadan, Nigeria, 313-324.

6) Betti, J. L. (2002). Medical plants sold in Yaounde markets. Cameroons African Stuchy Monographs, 23(2): 47-64.

7) Ekong, E. E. (2003). Rural Sociology: An Introduction to Rural Sociology and Analysis of

Rural Nigeria. Uyo Dove Educational Publishers Ltd., 85-102.

8) Ene-Obong, H.N. (2006). Quality of school meal and snack and their contribution to nutrient intake. Ecol Educational Nutrition, 30: 135-205.

9) Ezedimma, C.I. (2001). Relative factors: Shares and productivity of horticultural enterprises in the urban environment of Lagos. Proc. HORTSON Conference, 232.

10) Food and Agriculture Organization (2005). Rural women and food security in Asia and the pacific: prospects and paradoxes Rap, 50-65.

11)Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2007). Adaptation to climate change in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Perspective, Framework and Priorities. Rome: FAO Available at www.fao.org/catalog/e.htm/13/1/07

12) Igbokwe, E.M. and Eneje, C.N. (2001). Traditional grain seed conservation among northern Igbo farmers in Nigeria. Plant Product Research Journal, 6 (2), 31-41.

13) Isichei, A.O. (2005). The Role of plant resources in Nigeria’s economic recovery agenda. Nigeria Journal of Botany, 18: 1-22.

14) Madu, L.A. (2006). Agricultural land use intensification and Environmental Degradation in South Eastern Nigeria. The Need for a sustainable land management system. In: Onokala (eds.), Environment and Poverty in Nigeria. Jamoe Enterprises Nigeria Ltd., 100-103.

15) National Population Commission (NPC) (2006). Population Figure. Federal Republic of Nigeria. Abuja. Retrieved December 2, 2009 from http://www/npc.gov.

16) Nweze, N.J. (2003). Implementing Local Management of Forest Resources in poor forest communities of Nigeria. Amoe Enterprises Nigeria Ltd.

17) Okwu, D.E. and Morah, F.N.I. (2004). Mineral and nutritive value of Dennettia tripatale fruits. Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension, 8 (59): 437-442.

18) Spore Magazine (2009). Felling the Forests. Media Agriculture Linking towns and villages spores magazine No. 140-142, April 2009, CTA. The Netherlands.

19) Uguru, M.I. (1996). Crop production tools, techniques and practice. Fulladu, Nsukka, Enugu state, 7-8.

20) Vermeir, I. and Verbeke, M. (2006). Sustainable food consumption, exploring the consumer Attitude, Behaviour Intention Gap. Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Ethics, 19 (2): 169-194.

21) World Bank (2004). World Development Projects 2000. Building Institutions for Market.Oxford University Press for the World Bank, New York N.Y.

22) World Health Organization (WHO) (2004). Fruits and vegetables promotion initiative Reports on a Meeting of 25-27 August 2003 World Health Organization, Geneva Switzerland.