An economic assessment of plantain production in River state, Nigeria
B.S. Fakayode, M.A.Y. Rahji, O. Ayinde and N.G. Okechukwu
Program and Abstracts, Banana 2008, Banana and plantain in Africa: Harnessing international partnerships to increase research impact, Leisure Lodge Resort, Mombasa, Kenya, 5-9 October 2008. 198 pages.
2008
บทคัดย่อ
An economic assessment of plantain production in River state, Nigeria
This study examined the profitability and resource-use of plantain production in Nigeria, using River StateNigeria as a case study. The study sample respondents comprised of randomly selected 80 plantain producing households. Gross margin and regression analysis were used to analyze farmers’ plantain production data. The result showed that plantain farmers in the study area are old and of poor literacy status. Gross margin per hectare of plantain averaged N34317 while net farm income averaged N31267. Rate of returns on investment and rate of return on capital invested were found to be 173 and 73%, respectively implying that plantain production is a profitable and viable venture. The OLS regression estimate showed that labour did not significantly influence plantain output. However land and planting material: sucker are shown to enhance plantain production. Theft, bad roads, poor producer prices and high cost of fertilizer were identified as major constraints to plantain production. The study therefore recommends subsidy on fertilizer, group marketing of plantain by farmers via their cooperative, provision of basic rural infrastructure (road) and the rehabilitation of existing ones. If effected, these recommendations will better rural life and attract the youth to these areas for increased plantain production.