Adejuwon, J.O.

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This study assessed the changing pattern in tomato cultivation in Sokoto-Rima River Basin, Nigeria. Questionnaire was administered to 450 respondents from 15 agricultural settlements in 15 local governments in the study area, using clustered sampling technique. Data was analyzed using frequency counts, percentage and pairwise t-test. Results show that ten varieties of tomato exist in the basin. Six of the seven varieties planted in 1970s are still being planted at the time of this investigation. Three varieties are new while a variety is no longer planted by farmers. Bahaushe was the most (41.18%) popular variety in the 1970s but Zaria variety (called ‘Dan Zaria’, Eka variety (Dan Eka) and Bahaushe which accounted for over 80% of tomato varieties in 2000s are the most famous, with Zaria variety accounting for 37.09 %. The farmers planting Dan Turai, Takon Mushe, Mai Soso and Bahaushe varieties decreased at the range of 3.31% to 20.71% while Dan Eka and Dan Zaria varieties increased by 8.81% and 19.44% respectively. Factors that determine choice of the varieties planted include yield, market values, consumer demand, and longer span of preservation. Farmers planting tomatoes in the basin has increased by 21.9% from 52.9% in the past to 74.8% at present. Key words: tomato cultivation, river basin, farmers, market values