ABSTRACT
The study examined the comparative analysis of
productivity and resource productivity in sole and intercropping paterns in
Ikwuano L.G.A of Abia — State, specifically an attempt was made to examine the
socio — economic characteristics of arable food crop producers in the study
area, determine the crop enterprises being undertaken, and ascertain the
profitability and resource productivity of sole cropping and intercropping. A
total of 100 arable crop farmers selected using the simple random sampling
technique from five (5) villages were used for the study. A well structured
questionnaire was used to collect the necessary information for this analysis.
Simple descriptive statistical tool such as table, frequencies and percentages
were used to examine the socio — economic profile of arable crop farmers and
also determine the crop enterprises undertaken. Three parameters were used to
assess the farmers' profitability and they include gross returnsper hectare,
gross return per man hour and net return per hectare. In socio — economic
profile of respondents reveals that the modal age of the farmers lie between 40
— 50 (44%), male (63%) predominate in arable crop production, married
respondents (72%) predominate. About (49%) of the respondents attained up to
primary level of education, 79% had house hold sizes of 6 — 10 persons.
Majority of the respondents (60%), have experience of up to l5years and above.
Majority (45%), earn between N30,001 — N50,000 while about (4 1%) df the
respondents had farm sizes of 2 hectares and above. Two crop mixtures is the
predominant cropping pattern. Based on the profitability indices, the gross
returns per hectare for a two-crop enterprise namely maize/cassava was found to
be the highest (N226,643.00). The same cropping pattern, namely maize/cassava
also had the highest gross returns per man-hour. Similarly, the same cropping
pattern had the highest net returns per hectare of(167,24 1.00). Continuous
practice of intercropping in the study areais recommended, until a radical
change is brought to bear on the current technique of agricultural production.
Agricultural policy should aim at intensifying government efforts by sending
more extension agents to the villages.
OPARAH, A (2021). Profitability And Resource Productivity Among Arable Crop Farmers In Ikwuano, Lga Of Abia State . Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Nov 24, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/profitability-and-resource-productivity-among-arable-crop-farmers-in-ikwuano-lga-of-abia-state-7-2
A., OPARAH. "Profitability And Resource Productivity Among Arable Crop Farmers In Ikwuano, Lga Of Abia State " Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 01 Jul. 2021, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/profitability-and-resource-productivity-among-arable-crop-farmers-in-ikwuano-lga-of-abia-state-7-2. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
A., OPARAH. "Profitability And Resource Productivity Among Arable Crop Farmers In Ikwuano, Lga Of Abia State ". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 01 Jul. 2021. Web. 24 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/profitability-and-resource-productivity-among-arable-crop-farmers-in-ikwuano-lga-of-abia-state-7-2 >.
A., OPARAH. "Profitability And Resource Productivity Among Arable Crop Farmers In Ikwuano, Lga Of Abia State " Mouau.afribary.org (2021). Accessed 24 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/profitability-and-resource-productivity-among-arable-crop-farmers-in-ikwuano-lga-of-abia-state-7-2