Economics Of Cocoyam Production Among Small Holder Farmers In Ikwuano Local Government Of Abia State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

 This study investigated the Economic of cocoyam production by small holder farmers in Ikwuano L.G.A Abia State. A total of 60 farmers were randomly selected and interview for the study. The study aims at examine socioeconomic characteristics of cocoyam farmers such as age, sex, level of education, house hold size, farm size, etc, to identify and describe cocoyam cropping systems, to determine the inputs and outputs of cocoyam production by small holder farmers hence analyze the allocative efficiency of resource use and identify the problems affecting cocoyam production in the study area. The data collected were analyzed by the use of statistical techniques such as mean, percentage frequency, distribution and regression analysis. Result shown that the farm sizes, level of labour input fertilizer inputs and planting materials (corn/camels) used in cocoyam production have positive as well as educational level, years of experience and family size of the farmers. Results also showed at 56.25% of the farmers were females while 43.7 5% were male. Again it was observed that cocoyam production is profitable in the study area with net farm income. The major constraints faced by the fanners include bad roads, lack of fertilizers, pest and disease, high cost of labour and lack of funds among others.