Comparative analysis of resource productivity in sole and intercropping in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Available research findings seem to support the peasant farmers' persistence in the use of intercropping. The objective of this study is to compare the relative returns from sole and intercropping in an attempt to resolve the food crisis. A total of 64 representative farm households selected using the multi-stage stratified random sampling were used for the study. The survey area comprised of Yauri and Zuru Agricultural Zones in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using profitability indices and the Linear Programming Approach. The highlights depicted that gross returns per hectare and gross return per man-hour on the average are higher for crop mixtures as compared to sole crops. The shadow prices of excluded activities in the optimized plans also indicate that three-crop mixtures are in better competitive positions as compared to sole crops. It is recommended that programmes for optimum resource allocation within the framework of intercropping be developed while extension agents should rely on demonstration effects.

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 7(1) 2006: 125-132