Assessment of On-farm Cultivation and Conservation of Indigenous Fruit Species in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Joshua Kayode *
Department of Plant Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria and Department of Crop Production Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Tolulope O. Bamigboye
Department of Crop Production Technology, Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The study aimed at the identification of the disincentives hindering their on-farm cultivation in Ekiti State.
Place of Study: The study was carried out in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Methods: A combination of social survey and direct field observation was used to assess the on-farm cultivation of indigenous fruit species (IFS) in Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Results: Twelve IFS were identified. Field observation revealed that despite the fact that these IFS were reservoirs of numerous returns in the study area, considerable number of factors threatens their cultivation hence present dependency is based on those growing in the wild.
Conclusions: Respondents’ indigenous knowledge on the identified species were documented and used for proposing conservation strategies that would enhance the sustainability of the IFS.
Keywords: Assessment, on-farm cultivation, conservation, indigenous fruit species, Ekiti State