Description
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 Background Information
Small-scale farmers occupy a central position in Nigeria’s agricultural policy
(Ajibefun and Abdukadri, 2012). Agricultural activities in Nigeria seem to be shouldered
by small-scale farmers who mostly live in rural communities. These farmers are poor and
tend to practice production system that may not utilize resources efficiently.
Small-scale farmers are constrained by lack of credit, which translates to
inadequacy of working capital (Kibaara, 2009). This in part brings about the vicious cycle
of poverty. The theory of vicious cycle of poverty tries to explain the reason for poor
investment of resources (agricultural), which leads to poor output and the consequent low
income. However, increment in agricultural output does not depend on heavy investment
of agricultural resources.
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is the next most important vegetable crop after potato
in the world (FAO, 2011). It is a relatively short duration crop which gives high yields,
and it is therefore economically attractive. This crop belongs to the Solanaceae family,
and which includes other well-known species such as round potato, tobacco, tomatos and
eggplant (Naika et al., 2008).
Tomato has its origin in the South American Andes. The cultivated tomato was brought to
Europe by the Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century and later introduced from
Europe to southern and eastern Asia, Africa and the Middle East. More recently, wild
tomato has been distributed into other parts of South America and Mexico and thence to
many parts of the world (Atherton and Rees, 2005; Naika et al., 2005; Mbonihankuye,
2010; Suárez et al., 2011).