ECONOMICS OF FRESH MAIZE PRODUCTION IN ANAMBRA EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Uche Okeke
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension
Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
E-mail: victorokeke67@yahoo.com
Abstract:
The
study examined the economics of fresh maize production in Anambra-East local
government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Multi-stage random sampling
techniques were adopted to select 40 respondents that were used in the study. Analysis
of the data was actualized by means of descriptive statistics, costs and
returns analysis and likert scale rating. The study indicated that (62.5%) of
the fresh maize farmers were male and majority (50%) were aged between 41 and
50 years. Fresh maize production was profitable given the positive values of
gross margin (N2, 239 150), net farm
income (N1, 406, 850), average net farm
income (N39, 171) and net return on
investment of 0.95. The serious constraints of fresh maize production include
lack of capital, high cost of transportation, menace of pest and disease,
problems of soil erosion, high cost of fertilizer, high cost of labour and lack
of extension agents. It was recommended that government should provide good
roads in the area subsidize the price of fertilizer and help the farmers to
form cooperative society.