FACTORS INFLUENCING GROSS INCOME ON SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION IN TORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
Bose, A. A.1, Jatbong, J. N.2,Danwanka, H. A. 1 and Dalhatu, A.1
1 Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, A.T.B.U. Bauchi, Nigeria
2Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Taraba State University, Jalingo
Email: abdullahi.bose@yahoo.com
Corresponding author: Bose, A. A.1
ABSTRACT
The study examined factors influencing gross income and profitability of sweet potato production in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State of Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used in selecting six villages purposively and 93 farmers were selected randomly. Data were collected using structured questionnaire; and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as farm budget model. The result reveals that average age of the farmers was 34 years and majorities (80.6%) of the respondent were male with average farming experience of 8 years. Result shows that majority (95.9%) of the farmers had acquired one form of formal education or the other and farmers were operating on small scale production with an average farm land of 1.5 hectares. Also, farmers (86.0%) sourced their production inputs from market and majority (95.7%) of the farmers adopted the use of improved varieties of sweet potato. The total cost and gross income were ₦48,843.19 ($135.68) and ₦121,017.03 ($336.16), per hectare, respectively. The net income and return per naira invested were ₦72,173.84 ($200.48) and ₦1.48, per hectare respectively. This implies that sweet potato production is very profitable in the study area. Result on socio-economic factors influencing gross income shows that price, farm land and quantity of sweet potato were significant (P<0.001) variables that influenced gross income. The R2 was 0.468 implying that about 46.8% of the variation in the gross income was explained by explanatory variables included in the model. The F-value was 8.098 and significant at P<0.001.The major constraint faced by the farmers include; low/instability in market price; pest and diseases as well as poor/inadequate storage facilities, among others. Thus, the study recommends stabilizing the pricing system for sweet potato through the formation of farmers’ group to improve bargain power and market opportunities; provision of practical training and workshops on product development to mitigate problems of storage, pest and diseases in the study area.
