Profitability estimate of Quality Protein Maize Variety (QPMV) among maize farmers in selected villages of Southern Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate the profitability among farmers who adopted quality protein maize variety (QPMV) in southern Katsina State, Nigeria. During the study, a structured questionnaire complemented with interview schedule was administered on 75 maize farmers selected from three villages namely; Kurami, Rugoji and Tudu using multi-stage sampling technique. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and farm budgeting technique. The results of the study revealed that all the sampled farmers were male, 40% were within the age of 41-50 which is consider to be active and productive age and majority 89.33% were married. Furthermore, the findings showed that most of the farmers are literate with majority cultivating QPMV on small-scale basis. However, the study indicates that quite a sizeable number of the respondents (48%) who adopted QPM purely for economic benefits (45.33%) find it difficult to identify QPM variety. Evidence showed that the production of QPM variety is profitable when compared with other varieties as indicated by the gross margin values of N 179, 839/ha, N 178, 462/ha, and N 162, 503/ha for Tudu, Rugoji and Kurami, respectively. It is therefore, recommended that production of QPM variety is very profitable in comparison to the local maize varieties used in the study area. Policy makers should therefore encourage the adoption of the variety by providing all necessary inputs and other institutional support.