ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF YAM PRODUCTION IN IBI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the Economic Analysis of yam production in Ibi Local Government Areas of Taraba State. Primary data were collected from 120 yam farmers selected from six council wards using simple random sampling technique. The data from cropping season were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using Net Farm Income and Regression Analysis. The results indicated that a gross margin realized by a typical small-scale yam farmer was ₦13,527,550per hectare. The result of the analysis indicates that yam production is profitable in the study area. The result of the multiple regression in table above shows a high coefficient of multiple determination (R2) of 76.6 percent    which implies. The level of education (X_I), Sex of the respondents (X₃) and farm income (X₄) were  Negative and statistically significant at 1 percent. It implies that the higher the level of education, sex and farm income of respondents, the lower their yam output. The respondents’ farm size (X₅) and family/household size (X₆) were positive and significantly related to the dependent variable at 5 percent  and 1 percent level of significant respectively. This shows that the higher the farm size and household size of the farmers, the more the output of yam in the study area. The following recommendations were drawn: Government should help to reduce cost of inputs. Problems of pest and diseases, storage and high cost of labour can be minimized if more farmers embraced cooperative association so that they can pool their resources together for seeking information on new technology, marketing and effective management of resources.