ANALYSIS OF RESOURSE USE EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY OF MAIZE PRODUCTION IN SOME SELECTED AGRICULTURAL ZONES OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

ANALYSIS OF RESOURSE USE EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY OF MAIZE PRODUCTION IN SOME SELECTED AGRICULTURAL ZONES OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract:

The research considered the resource use efficiency and profitability of maize production in Kaduna state. Data collection was collected with a well-structured questionnaire administered on 163 maize farmers selected through purposive and random sampling techniques. The methods of analyses used were descriptive statistics, multiple regression model, marginal productivity, resource use efficiency and gross margin analysis. Results showed that majority 63% fall between age group 27-53 years. This indicated that the farmers were physically strong and mentally alert to face challenges which may face them. On the average the farmers have 25years experience in maize farming. The literacy level of the farmers was on the average (7years). 28% of total maize farmers had no formal education while, 42%, 20% and 10% had primary, secondary and tertiary education respectively. Farming was majorly on subsistence level, as the mean farm size was 1.14 hectares. Maize farming was profitable in the study area with gross margin of N121, 784.75. Results showed that farm operation was in stage II of the production function with rate of return to scale estimated as 0.912 and factors of production were efficiently allocated with elasticities that were positive but less than one. All the factors of production are significant and the results further showed that farm size, seed and fertilizer (underutilized) were positively related to output while labour and agrochemicals (overutilized) had negative signs. This study concluded that maize production is a profitable venture in the study area. Higher output can be realized by increasing land, seed and fertilizer and decreasing labour and agrochemicals. Also, increase in the output of maize production could be improved if solutions are found to the identified problems associated with maize production. The study recommends that farmers should increase the use of seed, farm size and fertilizer. Also, government should look into the possibilities of facilitating access to farm lands; review the land use Act Decree and pay attention on land consolidation program in view of the scarcity and fragmentized farm holdings. They could still boost their gross margin by locating better market and/or providing good storage facilities so as to sell in the off season for better profit margin.

ANALYSIS OF RESOURSE USE EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY OF MAIZE PRODUCTION IN SOME SELECTED AGRICULTURAL ZONES OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA