CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background To The Study
Citrus fruits constitute vital fruit
crop with highest value in terms of international trade. The market for
citrus fruit consist of the fresh fruit market and the processed citrus
fruits market which involves mainly of orange juice. Oranges account for most of the citrus production but significant quantities of pomeloes, grapefruits, lemons and limes are also grown. According to (UNCTAD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development,
the growth in the production of citrus is attributed predominantly to
high consumer demand and preference for healthy foods, improvements in
transportation and packaging, rising incomes and increase in cultivation
areas. Changes in production were projected for the period of year 2000
to 2010 since high production levels have slowed the rate of new
plantings. The New production strategy shows that the Productivity of
citrus groves can be reserved at pre-Huanglongbing levels through a
three pronged strategy with the aim of giving the greatest yields for
the lowest costs. This is necessary as a result of the increased per
acre cost of caretaking brought upon by Huanglongbing infection. The
commercial citrus caretaker is therefore forced to spray his/her block
of citrus several more times a year than normal, higher cost.
Consequently the cost price of citrus per pound increase considerably
.Therefore the price per pound of citrus must continue to increase in
other for the business of citrus to remain profitable due to disease
pressure.
Currently the use of Foliar fertilizers
are spread on citrus trees at considerably higher rates than before for
high yield production. Pesticide application timing, and pesticide
choice is required for production efficacy.
Due to citrus green disease, the
production of citrus nurseries in commercial quantities were relocated
indoors so as provides clean citrus trees for the planting of citrus
groves.
Citriculture production practices
which constitute the new best management practices for commercial
citrus growers against the citrus greening disease fight include vector
control, foliar nutrition, and certified young trees .The research
therefore proffer an Assessment of agricultural information on citrus
improved technologies production and marketing in Benue state
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Citrus fruits constitute vital fruit
crop with highest value in terms of international trade. The markets for
citrus fruit consist of the fresh fruit market and the processed citrus
fruits market which involves mainly of orange juice. Oranges account for most of the citrus production but significant quantities of pomeloes, grapefruits, lemons and limes are also grown. According to (UNCTAD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development,
the growth in the production of citrus is attributed predominantly to
high consumer demand and preference for healthy foods, improvements in
transportation and packaging, rising incomes and increase in cultivation
areas. However the economic cost of implementing the new production
method for citrus commercial quantities is high. This is due to the
increasing cost of pesticides spray to combat the deadly citrus disease
Huanglongbing (HLB), called citrus greening.
Currently the use of Foliar fertilizers are spread on citrus trees at
considerably higher rates than before for high yield production.
Pesticide application timing, and pesticide choice is required for
production efficacy. The problem of the research therefore centers on
the Assessment of agricultural information on citrus improved
technologies production and marketing in Benue state.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
To proffer an Assessment of agricultural information on citrus improved technologies production and marketing in Benue state
Citrus fruits constitute vital fruit
crop with highest value in terms of international trade. The market for
citrus fruit consists of the fresh fruit market and the processed citrus
fruits market which involves mainly of orange juice. Oranges account for most of the citrus production
1.4 Research Questions
What is citrus production?
What is the agricultural information on citrus improved technologies production and marketing?
What is the agricultural information on citrus improved technologies production and marketing in Benue State?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The studies proffer an Assessment of
agricultural information on citrus improved technologies production and
marketing in Benue state
1.6 Research Hypothesis
Ho Citrus improved technologies production and marketing in Benue state is not effective
Hi Citrus improved technologies production and marketing in Benue state is effective
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study focuses on the Assessment of
agricultural information on citrus improved technologies production and
marketing in Benue state
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The study was confronted by some constraints including logistic and geographical factors
1.9 Definition of Terms
CITRUS FRUIT
Citrus fruits constitute vital fruit
crop with highest value in terms of international trade.The market for
citrus fruit consist of the fresh fruit market and the processed citrus
fruits market which involves mainly of orange juice. Oranges account for most of the citrus production but significant quantities of pomeloes, grapefruits, lemons and limes are also grown.