Socioeconomic factors influencing plantain production in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State

Abstract

Plantain production in Nigeria is highly constrained by certain socio-economic factors. The study investigated the socio-economic factors influencing plantain production in Khana local government area of Rivers state. Collected primary data was analysed using descriptive statistical tools and simple linear regression fitting in four functional forms. The results of analysis showed the socioeconomic factors influencing plantain production to include gender, age, household size and farm size. Furthermore, using a four-point type of Likert’s scale to measure factors militating against plantain production showed the major challenges to include poor processing and storage facilities, inadequate extension knowledge, unavailability of credit facilities, poor irrigation facilities, high perishability, high incidence of plantain disease and poor marketing system among others. It is suggested that farmers should be assisted through provision of adequate storage and processing facilities as well as loan facilities to enable them acquire necessary farm inputs, hire labour and acquire suitable farmland.

Keywords: Plantain, Production, Socioeconomic, Smallholder Farmers, Nigeria