Abstract
The study was carried out to determine the adoption rate of watermelon as an alternative crop to the melon the farmers in Moro Local Government Area, Kwara State Nigeria are used to grow traditionally. Unfortunately, melon had remained a poor marketing commodity over a long period of time due to price fluctuation. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gross margin. The results indicate that the majority (80.87%; n = 93) trained in year 2007 are still active in watermelon cultivation. The adoption of watermelon technologies was influenced by extension packaging styles, compatibility with known methods of melon cultivation, relative advantages, good market price and ready market. Budgetary analysis revealed a profitability of watermelon with gross margin of ?253,850.00 per hectare. The benefit/cost ratio (BCR) was 3:1. The study identified poor extension visit to the farmers after the training. It therefore recommended that the local government should acquire more tractors for hiring to the farmers while subsidy is required in other to reduce the cost of land clearing. Finally, government should as a matter of urgency repair, grade and open up more road network that will facilitating easy transportation of farm produce and reduce cost of transportation.
Highlights
Melon (Citrullus colcynthis) known as honeydew (Mohammed, 2011) is a major crop in Moro Local Government Area (MLGA) of Kwara State, Nigeria
The results indicate that the majority (80.87%; n = 93) trained in year 2007 are still active in watermelon cultivation
Mohammed (2011) in his findings on the socioeconomic analysis of melon cultivation in Ifelodun Local Government Kwara State, observed the difference between the gross return and the total cost of production that gave a gross margin of N1, 263.81 per ha
Summary
Melon (Citrullus colcynthis) known as honeydew (Mohammed, 2011) is a major crop in Moro Local Government Area (MLGA) of Kwara State, Nigeria. It is an annual crop planted twice in a year, as an early and late season crop due to the bimodal nature of the raining season in the area. Mohammed (2011) in his findings on the socioeconomic analysis of melon cultivation in Ifelodun Local Government Kwara State, observed the difference between the gross return and the total cost of production that gave a gross margin of N1, 263.81 per ha. Based on these multiple challenges, Fayolam Farms situated at Bielesin village, via Bode Saadu, Moro LGA of www.ccsenet.org/jas
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