EMPIRICAL STUDY ON YAM CULTIVATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF TARABA STATE: CASE STUDY OF WUKARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.

Job Pristine Migap and Felix Audu

^{Department of Economics, Kwararafa University}

^{E-mail: keffi4942@yahoo.ca}

ABSTRACT

The impact of yam cultivation on the economic development of Taraba State was studied to ascertain the importance of crop production to the development of the Nigerian economy. It seeks to find out the relationship existing between the level of crop production and the economic development of Taraba State. To achieve the objective of the study, yam cultivation in Wukari Local Government area was taken for the study as a reference to crop production and economic development of the state. The primary and secondary data collected include structure interviewer questionnaires, observation and personal interview of the farmers/traders in the study area, Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) publications, internet materials and journals. The data was analyzed using simple percentage and Chi square. The result shows that, there is a positive correlation between yam cultivation and economic development of Taraba State. It therefore suggests that the government should take proactive measures to enhance crop productivity through the timely provision of agricultural inputs/equipment and the construction and maintenance of rural infrastructures.