Nursery management practices and profitability of citrus planting materials production and private nursery operators at Okumaning, Ghana
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Date
2009
Authors
Adjei-Nsiah, S.
Nimoh, F.
Brentu, F.C.
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Publisher
Ghana Journal of Horticulture
Abstract
A survey was carried out among private nursery operators at Okumaning to examine their nursery management practices, production problems and profitability of their operations using semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The result of the study revealed that although citrus planting material production serves as a source of livelihood for several youth in the area, problems of marketing, pest and diseases, high cost of inputs and lack of support services impede the enterprise. Nursery operators were found to exhibit poor knowledge in budwood-transmissible diseases which can have serious repercussion on the future of the citrus industry. The study also indicated that indiscriminate use of pesticides in the citrus nurseries at Okumaning desire special attention as it affects human health; pollute the underground water and the streams along which the nurseries are sited. The cost/benefit analysis of this study suggests that the production of citrus seedlings will be more profitable and efficient when a seedling is sold for at least GHc 0.22(US$0.23), which will give a return on investment of about 35% and above. The need to organize regular training sessions for nursery operators to update their knowledge on basic nursery practices and identification and control of budwood-transmission diseases is discussed.
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Ghana Journal of Horticulture (7): 26-34
S. Adjei-Nsiah, F. Nimoh and F.C. Brentu (2009). Nursery management practices and profitability of citrus planting material production among private nursery operators at Okumaning, Ghana. Ghana Journal of Horticulture 7:26-34
S. Adjei-Nsiah, F. Nimoh and F.C. Brentu (2009). Nursery management practices and profitability of citrus planting material production among private nursery operators at Okumaning, Ghana. Ghana Journal of Horticulture 7:26-34