PERCEIVED EFFECT OF VEGETABLE FARMING ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN CALABAR METROPOLIS, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

The study examined the perceived effect of vegetable farming on the socio-economic well-being of urban households in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economic characteristics of vegetable farmers, ascertain the types of vegetables cultivated in the area, and determine the perceived effect of vegetable farming on the socio-economic well-being of urban households. The study was carried out in Calabar Metropolis using a survey research design. The population consisted of all registered vegetable farmers in the area, while the sample comprised 400 vegetable farmers selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation and ranking. The results revealed that 78.75% of the vegetable farmers were women, 65% were married and 49.75% of the farmers were 41years and above. It was also found that pumpkin (Cucurbita spp) (96.75%), waterleaf (Amaranthus spp) (87.25%), amaranthus (Talinum fruticosum) (53.5%) and afang/editan/atama (Gnetum africanum/Lasianthera Africana/Heinsia crinita) (50%) were the predominant vegetables cultivated in the area. The results further showed that vegetable farming brings additional income to farmers (ranked = 1st), enable them to take care of medical bills (ranked = 2nd) and enhance food supply (ranked = 3rd) etc. It was recommended that special land allocation for vegetable cultivation, credit facilities and training should be provided to urban households to enhance vegetable production in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]