This study provides an economic analysis of the cost structure and how it influences the profitability of catfish farming in Kaduna North Local Government Area. The research specifically examines the determinants of profitability, but lays emphasis on the composition and behavior of production costs, categorizing them into fixed and variable costs, and ultimately tries to ascertain their effect on overall profitability. To this end, this study assessed the economics of catfish farming in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 60 table-sized catfish farmers were randomly selected from the list of Agricultural Development Program (ADP) contact fish farmers in the study area and interviewed through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, and a multiple regression model were employed in analyzing the data. Results revealed that table-sized catfish farmers were at most 40 years old (55.0%), male (70.0%), married (68.3%), had between 5-9 years of experience in catfish farming (58.3%), with no access to farm credit (61.7%). The cost of feeds per kg of table-sized catfish was estimated at N238.39, while the seed fingerling cost N6.56, constituting 80.6% and 2.2% of the total cost per kg of catfish produced. The labour cost per kg of the fish was N10.2, constituting 3.4% of the total cost per kg of the fish. The profitability statistics, including Rate of Return on Investment (RRI) and Profitability Index (PI), were estimated at 35.1% and 26%. The regression analysis shows that the estimated F-value of 16.578 was significant at 1% level, with an R2 estimated at 0.565, indicating both the fitness of the models and data captured, which all indicated that table-sized catfish farming is profitable in the study area. It is recommended that catfish farmers in the study area pay special attention to the cost of feeds, as it could be critical to the profitability of the fish farming enterprises.
This study comparatively analysed costs and returns of organic and inorganic farming in Abakaliki
Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Yam was adopted as the choice crop in the investigation.
A multistage sampling technique was used to select 116 respondents—comprising 59 inorganic
and 57 organic farmers. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed
using descriptive statistics, cost and return analysis, and logistic regression. Findings revealed
that while inorganic farming had higher total revenue of ₦14,548,796.00 (average ₦255,242.04),
organic farming had slightly lower revenue of ₦14,187,862.00 (average ₦240,472.24). However,
organic farming recorded a higher average profit of ₦153,821.53 compared to ₦144,688.85 in
inorganic farming, indicating better profitability due to lower average total cost. The t-test
confirmed that the difference in total cost was statistically significant (p = 0.0004), while
differences in revenue, profit, and gross margin were not. Logistic regression analysis identified
age, household size, farming experience, farm size, education, access to credit, and membership
in farmer organizations as significant factors positively influencing profitability, with credit access
(β = 1.02, p = 0.007) and education (β = 0.56, p = 0.003) having the strongest effects. The study
recommends that financial institutions and agricultural development programs should design
farmer-friendly credit schemes with low interest rates and flexible repayment options
AkaninyeneOkon Essien, D. I. Ekine, Confidence Chinyere Amadi-Robert et al.· International Journal of Agr...· 0 citations
This study assessed the technical efficiency and profitability of cassava production in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers, estimated their technical efficiency, identified the determinants of technical inefficiency, and examined the costs and returns of cassava production. Primary data were collected from 200 cassava farmers selected through a simple proportionate random sampling technique using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and the Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier production function. The results showed that the mean age of the farmers was 45 years, with an average farming experience of 16 years. The mean technical efficiency was 0.88, indicating that farmers realized about 88% of their potential output, leaving a 12% scope for improvement. Farm size (β = 0.655; p < 0.01), fertilizer (β = 0.116; p < 0.05), and herbicide (β = 0.366; p < 0.01) significantly increased cassava output, while age, household size, farming experience, extension contact, and access to credit significantly reduced technical inefficiency. Cost and return analysis revealed a total revenue of ₦765,892.00, a total production cost of ₦549,990.00, and a gross margin of ₦317,771.00, confirming that cassava farming is profitable in the study area. The study concludes that cassava farmers are highly technically efficient and that improving access to extension services, affordable credit, improved inputs, and farmer cooperatives will further enhance productivity, efficiency, and profitability. It recommends strengthening agricultural extension services, improving farmers' access to credit, promoting cooperative membership.
A. Akinsulu, Olaniyi Adegoke Odusina, Happiness Temitayo Ebofin· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
Farmland access remains a key constraint for smallholder farmers in Nigeria, with increasing reliance on the land rental market. This study investigates the determinants of farmland market participation among smallholder farmers in Ogun State across different land arrangement types, socio-economic characteristics, and participation outcomes. Primary data from 150 respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multinomial logistic regression, bivariate logit model, and a problem ranking index. Result of the socio-economic analysis revealed that most farmers were above 40 years, with farming as a secondary occupation for many. Participation in the rental market was notable, with 58% renting in land and 41.3% renting out. Multinomial regression results showed that education significantly reduced the likelihood of choosing ownership (p < 0.001), communal (p = 0.056), and sharecropping (p = 0.009). Farm size positively influenced selection of ownership (B = 0.81, p = 0.001) and communal (B = 1.11, p = 0.004) arrangements. Bivariate logit estimates showed land size significantly reduced the likelihood of renting in (B = -0.84, p = 0.012) but increased renting out (B = 1.02, p = 0.018). Household size increased rent-in participation (B = 0.56, p = 0.031), whereas age significantly influenced rent-out decisions (B = 0.44, p = 0.022). The significant correlation coefficient (rho = 0.411, p = 0.008) indicated interdependence between both decisions. The findings reveal a dynamic farmland market shaped by socio-economic pressures and land scarcity. Land tenure arrangements, farmers' cooperatives, and land information services need to be strengthened to improve land access and rural productivity.
Q. G. Nafiu, W. M. Ashagidigbi, A. O. Ijaoba et al.· FUDMA Journal of Agriculture...· 0 citations
Onion production is an important source of food, income, and employment for many rural households in Nigeria. Despite its economic importance, productivity among smallholder onion farmers remains below potential due to technical inefficiency in the use of available production resources. This study examined the technical efficiency of onion farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 254 onion farmers using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the stochastic frontier production model. The results revealed that the respondents were relatively young and economically active, with a mean age of 38 years, an average household size of 6 persons, and an average farming experience of 10 years. The estimated mean technical efficiency was 0.658, indicating that farmers achieved only 65.8% of the potential output, leaving room for a 34.2% improvement through more efficient use of existing resources. The estimated sigma-square value (0.0027) was statistically significant, confirming the suitability of the stochastic frontier model, while lambda value (2.23298) indicated that the differences between observed and potential output were mainly due to technical inefficiency. The gamma estimate of 0.83 further showed that 83% of the variation in onion output was attributable to technical inefficiency. Education, farming experience and age significantly improved farmers’ technical efficiency, whereas limited access to extension services and credit reduced efficiency. The study concludes that onion production in Taraba State has considerable potential for increased productivity through improved resource-use efficiency.
M. B. Danji, Justice Inyanda Onu, A. Tashikalma· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
This study investigates the extent and determinants of livelihood diversification among integrated crop- livestock farming households in North-West Nigeria. The study aimed at assessing the integrated crop- livestock farming practices and analyse the factors influencing the livelihood activities of the farmers in the study area. The study used a multistage sampling procedure consisting of 3 states, 3 agricultural zones, 21 LGAs and 84 villages. Data were collected from 405 respondents through structured questionnaires andanalysed using descriptive statistics, the Simpson Diversification Index (SDI) and Tobit regression. Findings revealed a moderate level of livelihood diversification, with an average SDI of 0.58. Farmers engaged in diverse on-farm, off-farm, and non-farm income-generating activities, with on-farm income accounting for 66.66% of the total annual household income, followed by non-farm (23.57%) and off-farm (9.77%) sources. Tobit regression results showed that household size, gender of the household head, and access to credit were significant at the 5% level, respectively while education level and income from various sources were significant at the 1% level, all positively influencing livelihood diversification. Conversely, farm size had a negative and significant relationship, suggesting that larger farms often reduce the likelihood of engaging in alternative livelihood strategies. The study concludes that diversification is a critical strategy for income stability and risk management among smallholders. It recommends enhancing access to credit, promotingrural farmer education and improving rural infrastructure to sustain and expand livelihood diversification.
M. Abdullahi, M. Sulaiman· Agro-Science· 0 citations
Aquaculture has emerged as an important livelihood and food-security activity in Kalahandi district, Odisha, where drought-prone agriculture and limited rural income opportunities have encouraged diversification towards pond-based fish farming. This study analysed the cost structure, profitability and constraints associated with fish farming in the district. A total of 125 fish farmers were selected from Bhawanipatna, Narla and Dharamgarh blocks through stratified random sampling, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured and pre-tested schedule. The analysis used descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages and the Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR) to assess the economic viability of aquaculture. The findings show that fish farming in the study area is largely practised by young and relatively inexperienced farmers, with semi-intensive culture being the dominant production system. Most respondents operated small ponds, and many depended on seasonal or revenue ponds. The average CBR of 1.62 indicates that aquaculture was financially remunerative under the observed conditions. However, high feed costs, limited access to quality seed, insufficient technical knowledge, inadequate extension support, credit constraints, weak infrastructure and market-related challenges restricted productivity and profitability. The study suggests that strengthening hatchery development, improving input availability, expanding farmer training, simplifying credit access and enhancing market linkages may support more sustainable and profitable aquaculture in Kalahandi district.
Bharadwaj Bag, Rakhi Das, P. Tripathy et al.· Journal of Experimental Agri...· 0 citations