ABSTRACT

The study investigated the economic analysis of yam production in Essien Udim LOCAL GOVERNMENT area of Akwa Ibom State, the study aim at examine the socio economic characteristics of farmers, estimate the cost and return in yam production, identify the factors that affect yam production and identify the constraints faced by farmers involve in yam production in the study area. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 80 farmers from 20 villages in the LGA. A structured questionnaire and participant interview were used to collect information from the farmers on the yam production activities. Frequency means and percentages, net margin analysis, and regression analysis were performed on the data generated to achieve the objectives of the study. The results show that majority (87%) of the famers were males, 87% of whom are married, with mean household size of 8 persons. Mean age of the farmers was 58.94 years, with mean farming experience of 10.93 years on land area of 1.49 hectares on the average. Total cost per hectare was N171,610.10, with total revenue per hectare of N465,918.60. Net margin was N425,553.30. Among the variables that enhanced yam production were source of capital, cost of fertilizer and cost of pesticides at 1% and 5% respectively. The farmers agreed that illiteracy was their major farming constraint, followed by bad road network, soil type and lack of credit.