ABSTRACT

 The study examined the comparative analysis of productivity and resource productivity in sole and intercropping paterns in Ikwuano L.G.A of Abia — State, specifically an attempt was made to examine the socio — economic characteristics of arable food crop producers in the study area, determine the crop enterprises being undertaken, and ascertain the profitability and resource productivity of sole cropping and intercropping. A total of 100 arable crop farmers selected using the simple random sampling technique from five (5) villages were used for the study. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary information for this analysis. Simple descriptive statistical tool such as table, frequencies and percentages were used to examine the socio — economic profile of arable crop farmers and also determine the crop enterprises undertaken. Three parameters were used to assess the farmers' profitability and they include gross returnsper hectare, gross return per man hour and net return per hectare. In socio — economic profile of respondents reveals that the modal age of the farmers lie between 40 — 50 (44%), male (63%) predominate in arable crop production, married respondents (72%) predominate. About (49%) of the respondents attained up to primary level of education, 79% had house hold sizes of 6 — 10 persons. Majority of the respondents (60%), have experience of up to l5years and above. Majority (45%), earn between N30,001 — N50,000 while about (4 1%) df the respondents had farm sizes of 2 hectares and above. Two crop mixtures is the predominant cropping pattern. Based on the profitability indices, the gross returns per hectare for a two-crop enterprise namely maize/cassava was found to be the highest (N226,643.00). The same cropping pattern, namely maize/cassava also had the highest gross returns per man-hour. Similarly, the same cropping pattern had the highest net returns per hectare of(167,24 1.00). Continuous practice of intercropping in the study areais recommended, until a radical change is brought to bear on the current technique of agricultural production. Agricultural policy should aim at intensifying government efforts by sending more extension agents to the villages.