World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 7 (2): 189-192, 2011 ISSN 1817-3047 © IDOSI Publications, 2011 Corresponding Author: O. Adebisi-Adelani, National Horticultural Research Institute, P.M.B. 5432, Idi-Ishin, Ibadan, Nigeria. 189 Analysis of Production Constraints Facing Fadama Vegetable Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria O. Adebisi-Adelani, F.B. Olajide-Taiwo, I.B. Adeoye and L.O. Olajide-Taiwo National Horticultural Research Institute, P.M.B 5432, Idi-Ishin, Ibadan Abstract: The production of vegetable during the dry season often takes place in the fadama which is the prominent medium not only among the farmers but also unemployed youths turned famers. This study has examined constraints militating against fadama vegetable production in Oyo State, Nigeria. It has also examined involvement of male and female in the production activities. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to sample and administer questionnaires to 73 respondents in the study area. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The unavailability of credit sources, high cost of inputs (52.1%) , irregular fuel supply (24.7%), frequent pump break down (24.7%), irregularities in water pump operation (16.7%) and maintenance of the pump (9.6%) were constraints against capital use in the study area. The major constraints against labour use were the inability to hire labour. The result of the T- test analysis showed that almost all the activities considered in the study are male dominated. Activities such as land clearing (67%), Bedding (66%), planting (54%), watering (46%) and digging of well (69%) were male dominated. It is recommended that there should be provision of credit facilities and initial take off capital for both male and female for the production of vegetable during the dry season. This will enable them to benefit from the high profit usually realized in vegetable production during the period. Key words: Fadama %Vegetable production %Constraints %Level of involvement INTRODUCTION C Increased vegetable production thereby increasing Food production in Nigeria throughout the year C It reduces the poverty level of the farming is of necessity due to availability of large expanse of land community. for agricultural production. With the projected annual C It reduces unemployment while alleviating poverty population growth rate of 5.5 percent and food production among the rural Populace. annual growth rate of 3.2 percent in the country there is C It reduces thurgery and armed robbery due to youth the need for an improved agricultural production system generated employment. in Nigeria [1]. There are agricultural production systems C It increases the nutritional level of the farming that could be explored to support an all year round food community. production (especially vegetables) and one of such is C It facilitates increases in per capital earnings and fadama system of farming [1]. The word “fadama” in contributes to exportation. Hausa local language (one of the Nigeria’s three largest C It generates composting materials in form of tribes) means a low lying area which is susceptible to manuring for cropping especially bydepositing crop periodic seasonal flooding [2]. Fadama farming therefore stubble inside pits for decomposition. implies cultivation or growing of crop under irrigation or C It provides fodders for animals in the river flood plain. This implies that it is a farming C It encourages market growth and industrialization of system that operates in the dry seasons. This is because the farming community. flood plains are inaccessible during the normal farming season [1]. Due to the above importance of fadama vegetable Fadama farming as a system of farming involves the production different categories of people engages in its planting of mainly vegetables during the dry season productivity. under weeding or irrigation conditions or on wet lands [3]. Vegetable have come to be the most important crop The benefits of fadama vegetable production include [4]: and changing taste within big cities means that more and farmers’ income.