Comparative socioeconomic analysis of tea monocropping and intercropping systems in Taraba State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Intercropping is the planting of two or more crops on a piece of land to maximise resources while mono-cropping is the planting of a single crop on a farm using the same resources that could have been used if more crops were planted in the same piece of land. This study compared the socioeconomic characteristics of farms and the cost and returns of farmers who practice tea mono-cropping and intercropping systems in Taraba state, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Kakara, Sabongari, Mayo kusuku and Nyiwa towns in Taraba state. The study was conducted in 2021. Two hundred and four tea farmers were purposively selected and information was collected using well structured questionnaires. Statistics and budgetary analysis were the analytical techniques used. All the farmers practising intercropping (100%) and majority who practice mono-cropping (93.1%) were males. Farmers that practise intercropping and mono-cropping systems are between age 31 and 60years. The mean age of farmers that practise intercropping was 39 years while the mean age of farmers that practise mono cropping was 47 years. Farmers that practise mono-cropping system are less educated compared to farmers that practise intercropping. There is no correlation between age of farmer, years of experience, age of farm and the cropping system the farmers practise. The total cost for tea intercropping and mono cropping systems were 2292355.26 naira and 670897.02 naira. The gross revenue for tea intercropping and mono cropping systems was 239192226 naira and 290699973 naira. The profit per farmer for tea intercropping and mono cropping systems was 2024785 naira and 3333668 naira. Tea intercropping system is more profitable than tea mono-cropping system in Taraba state Nigeria.