Optimal farm plans for arable crop enterprises under limited resource condition in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the optimal plan for arable crop farm enterprises in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected during the 2009 cropping season using multi-stage random sampling technique and used for the analysis. Linear Programming model was used for optimizing gross margins. The results revealed a considerable divergence between the existing and optimum plans. Farm resources were not optimally allocated and after optimization, gross margins could be increased. Cereal-legume cropping patterns showed dominance in both the existing and optimum plans. As a result of inter variation in resource management, the gross margins were higher in the optimal (N87,322.89/ha) as compared to the existing plan (N63,800.25/ha). The optimum plans prescribed more of cash-crop-based enterprises. The results suggested increasing farm sizes while the study recommends strong financial support, farm advisory services and adequate supply of modern inputs at fairly competitive prices to arable crop farmers in the study area.