FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST THE REALIZATION OF CITRUS FRUIT YIELD IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

The study examined some biotic and abiotic factors militating against citrus production in Nasarawa State. The data were collected using structured questionnaire which dwelled on the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, problems and prospects of citrus production. Three hundred questionnaires were administered randomly to obtain the relevant information. Simple percentages were used as basis of data analysis. A range of the citrus farmers (both men and women) (50%) were grouped between 31-40 years old. A proportion of both men and women were randomly selected. The results showed that the farm size (53.33%) of the farmers is between 2-4 hectares. Also, 83.33% and 16.67% of the farmers produced citrus for market and consumption purposes, respectively. About 66.67% of the farmers produced sweet orange type that matured during dry season which are often predisposed to insect pest attack. Poor storage facilities (83.33%), lack of trained extension workers (66.67%), poor marketability of citrus fruit and citrus products (66.67%), lack of capital, poor soil fertility and lack of interest by the farmers (33.33%) are some of the constraints that have crippled citrus production activities in the study area. It was suggested among others that harvesting of fruits should be when they are mature and are about to ripen instead of waiting for majority of fruits to ripen before harvesting thereby increasing susceptibility to insect pest attack.