TY  - JOUR
T1  - Ameliorative Strategies to Seasonal Scarcity of Fruits and Vegetables in Aba Urban Area of Abia State, Nigeria: Implication for Extension
AU - , O.N. Nwaogwugwu AU - , C.M.N. Edna AU - , A.C. Agumagu AU - , O.M. Adesope 
JO  - Agricultural Journal
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
SP  - 388
EP  - 391
PY  - 2008
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1816-9155
DO  - aj.2008.388.391
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=aj.2008.388.391
KW  - Ameliorative strategies
KW  -seasonal scarcity
KW  -fruits
KW  -vegetables
AB  - This study investigated the ameliorative strategies to seasonal scarcity of fruits and vegetables in Aba urban Area of Abia State, Nigeria: Implication for extension. Four  fruit and vegetable relief markets in the study area were randomly selected. Fifty respondents in each market were purposively sampled for data collection using structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was carried out using descriptive statistical tools. The results showed that while the seasonal availability of <I>Gnetum bulchozianum</I> (ukazi) (92%), <I>Vernonia amygdelina</I> (bitter leaf) (83%), telferia (78%), <I>Allium cepa</I> (onion) (64%), Cocos nucifera (coconut) (68%), <I>Kola acuminate</I> (kolanut) (92%), Garcinia kola (bitter cola) (94%), among others are all year round; <I>Talinum triangulare</I> (water leaf) (90%), cent leaf (84%), <I>Cucurbita pepo</I> (pumpkin) (60%), <I>Hibiscus esculenta</I> (okra) (92%), garden egg (88%), among others are wet season and Oha (94%), Chrysophyllum albidum (Udara) (84%), Cashew  (65%),  among  others  are ‘dry season’. The ameliorative strategies include: involvement of more farmers in fruits and vegetable crop farming (<IMG SRC= "http://www.medwelljournals.com/fulltext/aj/Image83.gif" >
 = 3.91), careful post harvest handling of fruits and vegetables (<IMG SRC= "http://www.medwelljournals.com/fulltext/aj/Image83.gif" >
  =  3.84),  adequate  and  improved  processing methods (canned, dried, pickled, fermented and jams/juice) (<IMG SRC= "http://www.medwelljournals.com/fulltext/aj/Image83.gif" >
 = 3.61), among others. It was recommended among others that public enlightenment should be stepped up through effective extension services on the consumption of fruits and vegetables in their processed forms and on safe post harvest handling procedures.
ER  -