Volume 3 (Issue 2) 2023 Article 16

ABSTRACT:

This study examined the economic analysis of cassava production in Dekina local government area of Kogi State. A random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A total of 12cassava farmers were used for the study. Primary data was used for the study. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, net return analysis and mean score. Results of socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents showed that majority (46.7%) of the respondents were in the age group of 41-60 years, (30%) were in the age range of 21-40 years, while (23.3%) were in the age range of 61-80 years. The mean age was 49 years. Majority (65.0%) of farmers were married, 13.3% were single, while 11.7% were divorced and10.0% widowed. The mean year of experience in cassava production was 22 years. House hold size of most respondents ranged from 6- 10 members with (53.3%), 1-5 members with (23.3%) and 11-15 members with (23.3%). The average household size was 8 members connoting large household size. The mean of annual farm income was N394, 345.39k. The result indicated an R2 value of 0.801 meaning that 80% of the variability in the output was explained while the remaining 20% could be attributed to error term. The regression result of the effect of farmer’s socio-economic characteristics on their output indicated that farming experience (0.173), household size (0.086), level of education (0.076) and farm size (0.148) were significant variables that influence the output of cassava produced in the study area. The profitability analysis of cassava production shows that cassava production requires investment of N 149,630 and the gross margin was N118, 760. Return On Capital Invested (ROCI) indicated that the farmers had ROCI of 1.79. The result revealed that the major constraints in cassava production in the study area include high cost of labour (X=2.37), lack of access to improved planting materials (X = = 2.28), inadequate capital ( X= 2.28), pests and diseases (X = 2.20), inefficient or ineffective extension delivery service (X= 2.08), poor access roads to markets (X = 2.07). It is therefore recommended that Agricultural policy measures should be taken towards provision of ready market with stable prices for cassava produce through creation of marketing boards by the government.