Browsing by Author "Onyeoma, Uruchukwu Mary"

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    Economics of cocoyam farming by cropping systems in Onitsha agricultural zone in Anambra State, Nigeria
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2016-05) Onyeoma, Uruchukwu Mary
    This study evaluated the economics of cocoyam farming by cropping systems in Onitsha Agricultural zone Anambra State. The specific objectives were to identify the socio-economic characteristics of cocoyam producers , estimate the average quantity of cocoyam produced from the different cropping systems in the study area, estimate net return of cocoyam production under different cropping systems, determine the factors that influence cocoyam output in the different cropping systems, determine the socio-economic factors that influence net returns from cocoyam production and assess constraints faced by cocoyam producers in the study area. The hypotheses of the study stated that there is no significant relationship between age, gender, educational level, household size, farming experience, and farm size of cocoyam farmers and net returns from cocoyam production. Primary data were collected using a set of structured questionnaire from 142 farmers who were selected from the agricultural zones using multistage sampling technique. Data were analysed with descriptive statistical tools (mean, frequency distribution, and percentage), multiple regression, net returns and output per hectare model. The field results showed that majority of cocoyam farmers in the study area were aged, experienced and relatively educated. Again, the field results showed that cocoyam sole cropping system recorded the highest output (5t/ha) of cocoyam, while cocoyam/maize, cocoyam/cassava, cropping systems recorded 4.4t/ha and 4t/ha respectively. From the field results, cocoyam sole cropping systems recorded the highest net return of about N741,225, relative to cocoyam/maize, cocoyam/cassava cropping systems which recorded N642,725, N508,225 respectively. The results of multiple regression showed that factors that influenced the output of cocoyam positively were farm size, labour input, quantity of cocoyam setts and quantity of fertilizer. while cost of implements, negatively influenced output. However the hypothesis tested showed that age, educational level, household size, farming experience, and farm size of cocoyam farmers significantly influence net returns from cocoyam production in the area except of gender . The major perceived constraints recorded were labour scarcity and high cost of input. It was concluded that the output of cocoyam is influenced by cropping systems practised as there may be competition for light, nutrients, and water depending on the cropping system practiced and also that cocoyam enterprise is profitable. Therefore, it was recommended that Programmes should be constantly organized so as to keep cocoyam farmers abreast with improved technologies in production. Through these programmes, the result of agricultural research involving maintenance of soil fertility under effective crop combination that will result in optimum crop output per unit area of land will easily be transferred to the farmers.