Farmers’ Perceptions of Plantain Production Constraints in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Participatory rural appraisal surveys aimed at determining farmers’ perception of plantain production constraints in Port Harcourt metropolis (specifically at Rivers State University [RSU], Nkoplu and the Agricultural Development Programme [ADP] farms, Rumuodomaya) have revealed: poor soil fertility, wind, “drought” and “disease” (in that order of importance) as the major militating factors to plantain (or Musa) production in this region. Farmers’ misjudgments and confusions were nonetheless, remarkably pronounced in this study; their so-called “drought” category (aka “dryness” or sunlight effects) was apparently all foliar defects arising from fungal, viral and/or bacteria attacks, while “disease” entailed all abnormalities on fruits, pseudostems etc., and sometimes even fallen stands. Also since they were oblivious of the causal factors or agents responsible for pseudostem snapping and toppling (i.e. falls arising from weevil and nematode attacks) respectively, they attributed such occurrences to “breakages” and “wind/breeze” effects. These preliminary surveys have successfully revealed farmers’ understandings and perceptions of the major constraints to plantain production in this axis. Appropriate interventions via enlightenment and training campaigns can now be planned to educate these farmers adequately. It is hoped to bring to an end all misconceptions or wrong perceptions, and to also eliminate or significantly reduce/curtail the wreck-less use of chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers etc.) by untrained farmers and the citizenry; and the often attendant pollutions, pest resistance and residue problems etc. prevalent in this region and in the wider society.