Abstract

The study examined the determinants and profitability of cassava production in Akpabuyo, Cross River State. A multistage sample procedure was used to select eighty (80) farmers and data were collected with structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin and ordinary least square (OLS) criterion. Analysis shows that cassava production was dominated by females (67.5 percent) in the study area. The mean age (47.85) shows that farmers were in the active labour force with mostly small farm sizes (0.98ha). The profitability analysis also shows per hectare gross margin of N9,520.66 and the cost N7,001.94, implying that cassava production is profitable. The results further reveals that farm size, value of land, gender, age, educational level and farming experience influenced output positively, while value of cassava cuttings, labour and family size had negative influence on cassava output. However, the test of significance shows that cassava cuttings, labour, education and experience exerted greater influence on cassava output, implying that a change in any one of these variables resulted to a significant change in output. One of the most serious problems encountered by cassava farmers in the study area was high cost of inputs, while lack of implements constituted the least problem. Therefore, it is recommended that concerted effort should be made towards the implementation of policies that will enhance farmers output.

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