Economic Analysis of Melon (Agusi) Production in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

¹TAPHEE, B.G., ALAM, ²M.K., ³JEN E.I. and ⁴AGBO, F.U.

^1,2,3Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Taraba State College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

⁴ Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

E-mail: tapheegauis@gmaill.com

ABSTRACT

The study analysed the economics of melon (Agusi) production in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 96 melon (agusi) farmers selected through purposive and random sampling techniques. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Gross Margin Analysis. The results of the socio-economic characteristics revealed that majority (66%) of the farmers were males of below 51 years of age (89%) they were married (73%) with large family size (75%) and most (71%) had formal education with many years of farming experience (70%) but were mainly small-holder farmers (78%). The result of the gross margin analysis indicated that, melon farmers incurred an average total cost of N41,980 per hectare. It also revealed the gross income, gross margin, net farm income and return on Naira invested of N60,000, N23,500, N18,020 and 0.432 respectively. The major constraints of melon (agusi) production identified were: inadequate fund, lack of improved seed, high cost of farm inputs, pest and disease, price fluctuation and insecurity. It is recommended that, farmers should form cooperative in order to get financial assistance from Government as well as access credit from banks. Also Government should intervene in subsidizing the price of farm inputs as well as fixing a minimum guaranteed price for the production in the area.