Challenges and Prospects of Tree Seedlings Production in Katsina State of Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the constraint to tree seedlings production of Dutsin-ma Local Government Area of Katsina State. A total of 13 tree seedling producers (index producers according to years of seedling activities) were purposively sampled after inventory of seedling production centres in June 2013. A purposive criterion of selecting one index producer with highest number of years in seedling production activity from each centre was used to sample 13 producers. These seedling producers were later interviewed using semi structured checklist of 12 questions. Result of the study found out that all respondents contended that limited access to planting materials such as plastic bags, fencing wire, watering can and young tree shoot constraints the number of seedlings produced in 2012 and 2013 despite tree seedlings program of the state ministry of environment under its green initiative project. The study recommended that since government targeted interventions cannot provide planting materials to all producers, informal seed producers should be integrated into the system by providing enabling environment.