Abstract

Abimbola J.A, Segun Olatunji and Muyiwa Titilayo

Agriculture is the backbone of most African economies and people’s livelihoods because it employs 70% of the population. In Nigeria, the population growth rates remain among the highest in Africa; it is presently estimated at 160 million. While population grows at a rate of 3.5% per annum, food production increase is 2.5% or less. This specifies the importance of glasshouse cultivation of vegetables and ornamentals as an augment against the present situation of food crisis in Nigeria. Glasshouse vegetable production has potential as a niche market for out-of-season, all year round produce and as a sustainable method of production. There are however, factors frustrating successful introduction of glasshouses into the Nigerian agricultural sector such as low technology transfer, limited empowerment of farmers with respect to access to financial and technological inputs necessary for sustained agricultural production and poor public perception of modern technology influencing the direction of innovation in the commercialization of agriculture. In order that farmers adopt the use of glasshouses in cultivation of vegetables and ornamentals, the government should make its adoption easy by financing glasshouse construction as a model for commercial farmers to follow. Efforts in creating awareness should be increased; the active role of the private sector, government and collaboration between research institutes, universities, and colleges of technology within and outside Nigeria should be enhanced. This paper examines the need for the commercialization of glasshouse vegetables and ornamentals as a means of increasing human agricultural activity including expansion of cultivated area and changing the dynamics of the agricultural industry of Nigeria thus changing the status of economy.