Organic and Inorganic Manure Use among Vegetable Farmers in Owerri Municipal of Imo State, Nigeria: A Comparative Approach
A. Henri-Ukoha *
Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
J. S. Orebiyi
Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
I. J. Uhuegbulam
Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
I. O. Oshaji
Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
A. Ikenna
Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study compared the use of organic and inorganic manure among vegetable (Telfairia occidentalis) farmers in Owerri Municipal of Imo State. Random sampling technique was adopted to select six organic manure users as well as six inorganic manure users from each of the five randomly selected communities making a total of 60 vegetable farmers in the area. The sampling frame was obtained from the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) extension agent in the area. The analytical tools used were descriptive statistics and net return model. Results show that both organic and inorganic manure use were profitable but inorganic manure use among vegetable farmers was more profitable. It was recommended that farmers be enlightened and encouraged to use inorganic manure.
Keywords: Organic manure, inorganic manure, vegetable production, comparative approach