Salau M. A., Adesina A, Ayandele A. A. And Fasasi S. K

Self - empowerment is the Key to alternative sustainable way in unstable economic situation Nigerian found themselves. This study investigates irrigated Tomato production as a tool for Entrepreneurship development in Saki area of Oyo State. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select and elicit information from sixty (60) Irrigated Tomato farmers from three Local Government Areas that made up Saki area; through the use of standard structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while a Gross margin analysis was used to determine the profitability of Irrigated Tomatoes farming. Findings showed majority (99%) of the respondents were male, married (75%) with 58.3% of the respondents’ age fall between 31-50 years. It also revealed that majority of the respondents carried out land preparation, nursery management and hardening as part of management practices. While factors such as; lack of capital (53.3%), water source (71.7%), diseases (50%) and lack of storage and processing facilities were major constraints facing Tomato farming. It was further revealed that a profit of N170, 000 was realized in 2023 season per acre on irrigated Tomato farm which implied that Irrigated Tomato farming is a profitable venture. It is hereby recommended that, Irrigated Tomato farmers should form cooperative to improve their production while, Government, the NGO should partner irrigated tomato farmers to acquire basic equipment to encourage the interested youth and teeming Nigeria population to adopt Tomato Farming with irrigation as a means of entrepreneurship and sustainability. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Tomato production, Value chain, Irrigation, horticultural crop, Saki area 0150