Adoption determinants and profitability analysis of okra farming in Aninri Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, Nigeria

Adoption determinants and profitability analysis of okra farming in Aninri Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, Nigeria

2014

E09000

Adoption of improved agricultural technologies increases farm output and in turn has a resultant effect on farmers' profit. This study therefore determined factors affecting adoption of okra technology packages by farmers and the cost and returns from okra farming in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State were studied and analyzed in 2012. Purposive and multistage random sampling techniques were used in selecting communities, villages and Okra farmers. The sample size was 45 okra farmers. Data for the study was analyzed with descriptive statistics, multiple regression (Linear) model, Gross Margin and Benefit Cost Ratio Analysis. The result indicate that the 51% of okra farmers were females, with mean farm size of 1.07 hectares and mean extension contact of 5 times in a month. The result also showed that the farmers adopted all the okra technology packages as site selection/land preparation, variety grown, planting dates, plant spacing, weeding techniques, methods and rates of fertilizer application, methods of pests and disease control and farmers choices on time of harvesting and preservation. The Linear regression estimates of the determinants of farmer's adoption showed that coefficients of farm income, farm size, extension contacts were positively signed at given levels of probability while gender and age were negative. The result of Gross Margin analysis posted a net profit of 27.984.00 NGN, with Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.89 NGN, from a hectare of okra. This means, for every 1.00 NGN a farmer invests in okra production in the LGA, he gets 1.89 NGN. This result shows that okra production in the study area was highly profitable. Non access to credit, pest and disease infestation and poor extension services were problems affecting okra production in the study. Policies aimed at encouraging farmers' access to credit, extension education and provision of rural infrastructure were advocated for increased okra production.

2(1):1-10, DISCOURSE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES

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