Costs and returns analysis of improved and alternative cassava production technologies in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

There has been scientific research into new technologies. Increased Agricultural Productivity depends on the acceptability of the innovations and the willingness to invest on them. For farmers to adopt and successfully use improved farming techniques, effective agricultural extension service is needed. This will go a long way in helping the Nigerian government to address the national food question. The specific objectives of the study was an analysis of the costs and returns of improved and alternative technologies available in the study area by farmers and their level of adoption of the new technologies. Data were collected from a random sample of 250 farmers and 30 extension Staff in the three (3) agricultural zones of Enugu State. Data collected were analyzed with Descriptive Statistics and Cost and Returns analysis principle. The result showed that the improved cassava technologies is more profitable when compared to the farmers alternative technology. The ratio of the gross margin of improved cassava technology to the gross margin from the farmers alternative technology was found to be 3:1. This implied that the improved cassava technologies is three times more profitable than the farmers alternative technology. This holds some promise for the improved cassava technologies and has implication for farm level investment by the farmers in the study area.

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 67-71