Studies have shown that adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables is vital to sound health. Eating vegetables and fruits appears to keep the brain young and prevent mental decline due to ageing. In Nigeria, many studies on fruit and vegetable consumption concentrated on adult population but empirical study on fruit and vegetable consumption pattern of students has rarely been considered. The study was therefore carried out to assess fruit and vegetable consumption among students of tertiary institutions in Oyo state, Nigeria. Two hundred well-structured questionnaires were administered to students through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. The result revealed that the most preferred fruit by students was banana (34%) while the least preferred was cashew (1%). The most preferred vegetable was pumpkin leaves (32%) while the least preferred was celosia (20%). Only 37% of the students consumed the recommended fruit and vegetable intake. Regression analysis showed that student income, sex, parent's income and Availability of fruit were statistically significant and determined fruit consumption among student (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.10). The study recommended creation of awareness on the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption among students.

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Inefficient resource use in production of pepper (Capsicum spp.) prevents farmers from realizing optimum returns from production; efficient resource use leads to desirable outcomes. The efficiency of resource use of pepper production in Kano State, Nigeria, was studied. Sixty farmers from three local government areas were selected. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic characteristics and other relevant variables. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production. Seed, hired labor, and fertilizer significantly and positively affected pepper output. Significant determinants of grower technical efficiency were negatively affected by household size and positively affected by farming experience. Problems affecting pepper production were inadequate access to inputs (50%), low price of pepper (33.3%), pests and diseases (15%), and inadequate capital access (1.7%). Use of good quality seed at recommended rates and fertile soil are required to facilitate pepper production at the frontier.

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A field study was carried out in a vegetable research field of the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria during the late raining season of 2015 to determine the appropriate okra/legume-based cropping system that will increase crop yield and farmer's income. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three (3) replicates. The treatments comprised intercropping okra with groundnut or cowpea planted at varying spacings (60 cm x 30 cm, 60 cm x 40 cm, 60 cm x 50 cm and 60 cm x 60cm). Okra was planted at a spacing of 60 cm x 40 cm, the plot size was 3 m x 2.4 m (7.4 m 2). Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD) test at the 5% probability level. Economic analysis of the cropping mixture was carried out using gross margin analysis, monetary advantage index and benefit to cost ratio analysis. Results revealed that the land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.62 was recorded in okra/groundnut at 60 cm x 40 cm and LER of 1.74 was observed in okra/cowpea at 60 cm x 30 cm. Okra/cowpea intercropping system spaced at 60 cm x 30 cm was the most remunerative (N859,192/ha), followed by okra/cowpea spaced at 60 cm x 50 cm (N744,212/ha) while okra/cowpea spaced at 60 cm x 60 cm was the least remunerative. The highest gross margin of N2,188,961/ha was obtained in okra/groundnut spaced at 60 cm x 40 cm. The least return was obtained in okra/groundnut spaced at 60 cm x 60 cm (N700,103/ha). The economic analysis revealed that okra/cowpea spaced at 60 cm x 30 cm produced the highest gross margin of N859,192/ha and monetary advantage index of N450,447/ha while okra/groundnut spaced at 60 cm x 40 cm gave the highest gross margin of N2,188,961/ha and monetary advantage index of N924,642/ha.

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Vegetables are important for maintenance of good health; their production and marketing are veritable sources of employment and livelihood. To promote vegetables' contribution to the above, there is a need for sustainable and efficient production process. The paper reviewed production, socioeconomic factors, and constraint affecting efficiency of production of three important vegetables (tomato, pepper, and onion). The review showed that socioeconomic factors found to increase technical efficiency in vegetable production were educational level, extension contact, and household size. Influence of farmer age on technical efficiency was inconclusive due to varied opinions. Increase in farm size, quantity of seed, amount of fertilizer, and agrochemical were found to have positive influence on output. Majority of the literature reviewed opined that increase in quantity of labour raises productivity; however, it must be utilized efficiently. The mean technical efficiency of the vegetables varied from the southern to the northern part of the country. The cross cutting constraints in vegetables production are pest and diseases, inadequate storage facilities, and high cost of improved inputs. The study recommends increase awareness and sensitization on optimum levels of resource use for increased productivity and appropriate intervention to constraints in the value chain.

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