Analysis of Constraints and Prospects of Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Production in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit with a fine flavor and high nutritive value. It is one of the most important commercial fruits crop in the world. The study examined the constraints and prospects of pineapple in Delta State. Multi stage sampling technique was used to extract relevant information from sixty pineapple farmers from one Agricultural Zone in Delta State. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, percentages and mean. The result indicates that majority (47%) of the farmers are within middle age with a mean of 45.2. The average farming experience of pineapple farmers was 12.8years.  The result also revealed that most (78.3%) of the farmers are located far from their residence, while majority (50%) of the pineapple farmers cultivated local variety. Respondents attested to the fact that there are high prospects for new pineapple investors and exiting farmers in the area. The study identified the potentials of pineapple production in the area. These includes; boosting of income (mean =2.60), promotion of good health through consumption among farmers ((mean =2.52) and checking of social vice as a result of idleness ((mean =1.84) among others. The major identified problems of pineapple farmer’s include; lack of improved planting materials, high fruit perishabilty and low fruit price e.tc. The study recommends that government should established cold storage facilities to reduce fruit perishability, make available improved pineapple suckers to farmers and easy access to loan by farmers from government and NGO to expand their farm size.