Perception of household heads on the practice vegetable farming via home gardening in Oluyole Lga of Oyo state

This study examined the perception of household heads toward the practice of vegetable farming through home gardening in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of household heads, assessed their level of awareness of vegetable farming through home gardening, examined their perception toward the practice, and identified the constraints affecting vegetable production through home gardening. A two-stage sampling technique was employed to select 135 household heads for the study. Data were collected using a structured interview guide. Descriptive statistical tools including frequency counts, percentages, mean, and Weighted Mean Score (WMS) were used for data analysis, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the relationship between selected socio-economic variables and respondents’ perception. The findings revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 42 years. The majority (63.0%) were male and 61.5% were married. The respondents had an average household size of seven members and spent an average of 10 years in formal education. The results further showed that 51.9% of the respondents had an above-average level of awareness of vegetable farming through home gardening. Regarding perception, respondents indicated that vegetable farming through home gardening contributes to income generation (WMS = 3.87), promotes entrepreneurship development (WMS = 3.54), improves household food and nutritional security (WMS = 3.51), empowers women (WMS = 3.48), reduces soil erosion and enhances soil conservation (WMS = 3.42), and facilitates nutrient cycling (WMS = 3.42). The major constraints affecting vegetable production through home gardening included inadequate supply of seeds and planting materials (WMS = 2.34), insecurity and theft (WMS = 2.08), insufficient knowledge of home gardening practices (WMS = 2.08), and destruction of crops by animals (WMS = 2.07). The Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed that age (p = 0.321), household size (p = 0.625), years of schooling (p = 0.242), annual income (p = 0.714), and farming experience (p = 0.831) were not significantly related to respondents’ perception of vegetable farming through home gardening, while farm size showed a significant relationship (p = 0.001).The study therefore recommends that government and private institutions should facilitate improved access to essential inputs such as quality seeds, irrigation water, extension services, and training programmes to enhance household participation in vegetable farming through home gardening.