Germplasm Collection and Stakeholder Identification for Castor (Ricinus communis L.) in Nigeria

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is a versatile industrial crop with little research preference in Nigeria. In this study, exploration on germplasm collection and stakeholder identification for castor was carried out, in four States (Kogi, Kwara, Osun and Oyo) of Nigeria. The exploration was initially carried out in 2013 and updated on stakeholders’ identification in 2019. The aim of the study was to collect/assemble the available castor germplasm and appraise the stakeholders in the major production areas of Nigeria. Information on germplasm sample, production indices, the value chain actors and some of their socioeconomic characteristics were collected, using a structured questionnaire. A total of 54 castor germplasm accessions were collected from 15 local government areas across the four States. The majority (62%) of the farmers intercrop castor with other crops. An almost equal number of the farmers practiced annual and perennial castor cropping systems. Large seeded castor planted was more (81.48%) than small-seeded among the farmers. A progressive increase in stakeholders was observed in all the States. Lack of capsule shellers was identified as one of the major production constraints among the farmers. The high cost of planting materials in castor and other inputs was attributed to the influence of the input suppliers. Limited research preference and poor extension activities were highlighted as a problem at the castor research level in the country. Good government policies for proper value-chain development of non-food industrial crops, such as castor, are highly recommended in Nigeria.