Assessment of varietal preference among tomato farmers in some selected Local Government Areas of Kano State, Nigeria

This study analyzes tomato farming across five local government areas (LGAs) in Kano state, Nigeria, using a multistage sampling technique to gather data from 106 respondents. The study's specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of tomato farmers, assessing the various tomato varieties cultivated so as to identify farmers’ most preferred types, exploring the reasons for these preferences, and identifying primary constraints affecting tomato production in the area. Among the 16 varieties cultivated, UC emerged as the most widely grown and preferred, followed closely by Rio Grande and Roma, with preferences largely driven by traits such as shelf life (39%) and size (27%). The study suggests targeted improvements in these popular varieties, particularly in extending shelf life (40.6%), increasing size (37%), and enhancing resistance to pests and diseases (15.2%). Pest infestation was highlighted as a critical challenge, with 77% of farmers rating it as a serious issue. Nevertheless, pest control measures were largely effective, with 38.8% of respondents rating their strategies as excellent and 53.4% as very good. To reduce reliance on pesticides, the adoption of an integrated pest management (IPM) system is recommended. Additionally, government support in the form of training and resources is essential to empower farmers in identifying and developing improved tomato varieties that meet market demands and enhance production efficiency.