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Socio-economic Determinants of Sweet Potato Production in Kogi State, Nigeria
Abstract
The study examined the determinants of sweet potato production in Kogi state, Nigeria. A total of 80 farmers were selected across the State using the simple random Sampling technique. Data, which comprised information on the socio-economic characteristics and other quantitative variables relevant to the study, were collected using a well-structured questionnaire and personal interviews. The socio-economic characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies; the ordinary least square (OLS) of multiple regression technique was used to analyze the production functions of sweet potato farmers. The results obtained, revealed that R2 value was 0.737 indicating that 73.7% of variation in sweet potato production was accounted for by the variables considered in the study. Specifically, age of the farmers (x2), the occupation (x3), annual income (x4), farming experience (X5), level of education of farmers (x6), labour input (x9) and fertilizer input(X10) were all significant and are important variables that affected the production of sweet potato in the study area. Given the enormous potentials of sweet potato production in the study area, it has become so imperative that youths be encourage to participate effectively in sweet potato farming, seeing that majority of the farmers are aged and will retire from active farming. This is to ensure food security. Also an effective structure should be put in place for the input and credit facilities provided by the government, this will ensure that these facilities get to those who need it and will in turn help the farmers expand their production. This study, although based in Kogi state, may have implications for other states with similar situation. This will help the state meet self-sufficiency in food production and so be able to feed her teeming population.
Keywords: Socio Economic, Determinants, of Sweet Potato, Production.
