GENDER DIFFERENTIALS AND PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF PEPPER (CAPSICUM SPECIES) PRODUCTION, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

2023-01-07T13:11:05+00:00

This study analyzed gender differentials and profitability of pepper (Capsicum species) production in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. One hundred pepper farmers were selected. Primary sources of data were employed with the aid of well-designed and well-structured questionnaire. The results show that 66% of pepper farmers were between 21 to 50 years. Pepper production was profitable in the study area. Gender differentials in average costs and returns in pepper production revealed that gross margin were 137, 556.51 Naira per hectare for male pepper farmers, higher than that at 109,711.77 Naira per hectare for female pepper farmers respectively. Gender differentials in factors influencing output of pepper produced shows that age ,and fertilizer input , were significant factors influencing output of pepper produced by male farmers at 1% probability levels, while age , labour input , and fertilizer input , were significant factors influencing output of pepper produced by female farmers at 1% probability levels respectively. The return to scale of pepper production was estimated at 2.798 for male farmers, which signifies increasing return to scale. The return to scale was calculated for female pepper farmers at 0.033, which implies decrease return to scale. Major constraints faced by pepper farmers were: lack of fertilizers, pest and disease infestations, and inadequate capital. The study recommends that women pepper farmers should be giving more access to farm inputs and credit facilities at low interest rate to increase productivity.

JEL Classification Codes: Q1, Q2, Q5.

ANALYSIS OF CASSAVA TUBER MARKETING IN RURAL AND URBAN MARKETS IN EDO SOUTH AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

2023-01-17T16:51:34+00:00

Cassava farmers and marketers are faced with problems bothering on poor pricing of the product locally, with attendant negative implications on their profitability. Hence, this study focused on the profitability of cassava marketing in rural and urban markets in Edo South Agro-Ecological Zone, Edo State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was used in drawing up a sample of 161 cassava marketers from seven purposely selected major cassava markets. Data collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis and regression analysis. Cassava tuber marketing was shown to be profitable in the study area with a monthly gross margin of ₦29,061.4 and a return per Naira invested of 0.29 (29%) for rural marketers. Urban marketers had a mean monthly gross margin of ₦19, 961.3 per marketer and a return per Naira invested of 0.32 (32%). Rural markets were found to be more efficient (576.78%) than urban markets (168.84%). The major factor militating against the farmers and marketers in their adopted management practices was having little money to spend. It is concluded that in order to improve the profitability of cassava tuber marketers in the study area, measures should be taken to cut down on the cost of transportation.

JEL Classification Codes: Q17.

American International Journal of Agricultural Studies

GENDER DIFFERENTIALS AND PROFITABILITY ANALYSIS OF PEPPER (CAPSICUM SPECIES) PRODUCTION, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

ANALYSIS OF CASSAVA TUBER MARKETING IN RURAL AND URBAN MARKETS IN EDO SOUTH AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE, EDO STATE, NIGERIA