An assessment of organic and inorganic vegetable farming in Benue Valley of North Central Nigeria
Benue Valley of North Central Nigeria is basically an agrarian zone with about 95% of her inhabitants engaged in agricultural businesses. This study assessed the performance of organic vegetable growers who utilized locally fabricated Biodigester along the river bank and inorganic vegetable growers who used chemical fertilizers on the high plain of Benue Valley. The study assessed vegetable production matrix of about 500 vegetable growers, using structured questionnaire and oral interviews. Their responses were analyzed through simple percentage, standard deviation and t-test. The results showed that there were vegetables of various kinds in the open market throughout the year, the result also revealed that the living standards of about 85% vegetable growers were enhanced significantly; especially the rural poor who basically practice organic vegetable farming. It was recommended that further
endogenous practices be sought to geometrically enhance and sustain vegetable growers financially and nutritionally.