Food Sustainability and Security, Aftermath of Vegetable Production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Vegetable crops are increasingly being acknowledged as a prerequisite for food sustainability, nutrition, and security. The study examined food sustainability and security, the aftermath of vegetable production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using a set of structured questionnaires from 286 vegetable crop farmers sampled across the three zones of the state; Ebonyi North, Ebonyi South, and Ebonyi Central using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, net returns model, analysis of variance, and ordinary least squares multiple regression techniques. The result showed that the majority of the vegetable farmers were females, married, educated, experienced, and belonged to cooperative societies. Vegetables such as Fluted pumpkin, 5944.70kg, waterleaf, 5802.49kg, tomato, 4498.83kg, spinach, 5789.90kg, okra, 5634.71kg, green pepper, 4739.02kg, and okazi leaf, 5856.23kg, dominated the vegetable production in the state. High net revenue, of N275461.93, was obtained in Ebonyi North relative to Ebonyi South and Ebonyi Central. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) result showed that there are significant differences in net returns of vegetable crops across the three agricultural zones of the state. Age, gender, household size, education, farming experience, farm size, and extension contacts hugely influenced vegetable crop production in the state. Inadequate capital, 99.7%, land fragmentation, 99.3%, high cost of input materials, 98.6%, pests, and disease attacks, 98.0% and the problem of the storage facility, 98.3% were perceived as major production constraints influencing sustainable vegetable production in the state. The study recommended government full support to intensify vegetable crop production in the state due to its economic viability. This would guarantee adequate food sustainability and security in the state.