FARMERS PREFERENCES AND PREPONDERANCE OF PESTS AND DISEASES IN ON-FARM GROWN OKRA VARIETIKES IN SOUTH- WESTERN NIGERIA

An on-farm research was conducted in Ondo and Ekiti States during September to November of 1996 to access the performance, acceptability and socio-economic potential of improved okra varieties under farmer’s conditions. Two improved varieties (NHAe 47-4 and LD 88-1) and one local variety (Afeso-dagba) planted at recommended spacing of 60cm x 50cm managed at farmers level were planted following a randomized complete block design with nine replications. A farm location is a replicate. The farms were strategically located to give room for focal group discussion for the generation of acceptability and socio-economic data. Yield, acceptability and socio-economic potentials of the okra varieties was in the order NHAe 47-4 > LD 88-1 > local variety (Afesodagba) while resistance to pests and disease was in the reverse orde. Thus NHAe 47-4 is recommended for farmers in Ondo and Ekiti states while efforts should be geared toward making the variety more resistant to pest and diseases.