Assessment of Medicinal Plant Cultivation Practices Among Rural Farmers in Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria

Medicinal plants represent an important component of traditional healthcare systems in the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, and their cultivation provides supplementary income for rural farming households. Despite their cultural and economic significance, documented information on cultivation practices and management techniques remains limited for Akwa Ibom State. This study assesses the types of medicinal plants cultivated, agronomic management practices employed, and marketing channels used by rural farmers in three local government areas of Akwa Ibom State. A descriptive survey research design was used, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 120 randomly selected farmers. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and percentages, were applied. Results show that bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum), and moringa (Moringa oleifera) were the most frequently cultivated medicinal plants. Most farmers relied on traditional knowledge for management, with minimal use of improved horticultural inputs. Marketing was predominantly informal, with limited access to organized value chains. The study recommends integration of medicinal plant cultivation into formal horticultural extension services and the development of organized market linkages to improve farmer income in Akwa Ibom State. Keywords: medicinal plants, cultivation practices, rural farmers, Akwa Ibom State, horticulture