Do Farmers Derive Returns From Cassava Production? Lessons from Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Esiobu Nnaemeka Success, Osuji Uchenna Theresa, Akande Stella Ndidi, Udunwa Nkechi Bridget, and Emeruwa Azuoma Margaret

One of the most significant root crops in Nigeria and mainly in Imo State is cassava. Evidently, throughout the past fifty years, both the area of land cultivated and yield per hectare have consistently increased. Nigeria has been leading as world's top producer of cassava for several decades, with an average output of 63,001,531 million tons and 8,737,846 ha of harvested land in 2022. This crop not only contribute to the share of agriculture in State and National economy, but possess a great potential in reducing pervasive food insecurity, unemployment and have comparative advantage to compete in a liberalized economy. Despite all this potential, not much has been empirically done to explain the economics of cassava production at households. Most empirical studies have focused mainly on the marketing of cassava, participation, and level of adoption of improved cassava technologies. It was against these backdrops that the study was undertaken. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of respondents. The sample size comprised ninety (90) cassava farms. A structured questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, and gross income analysis. Result show that the mean age was 47.00 years. Greater proportions (73.33%) were female. Majority (76.67%) were married, with an average household size of 6 persons. The mean educational level and farming ex- perience were 12 years and 28 years, respectively. Average farm size and annual farm income were 1.42ha and �?�500,500.00 ($1,203.65) respectively. Reasonable proportions (81.11%) were members of cooperative societies. Result shows that 25.10 tonnes of cassava were produced from 1.42h per farming session. Positive net farm return and return per capita invested were �?�288,503.33 ($693.82) and �?�3.64 ($0.0088) respectively. This is an indication that for every naira earned as reve- nue from the cassava production enterprise, 3.55 kobo is returned to the farmer as net farm income. Result further shows evidence of positive revenue from cassava production and has been a useful source of livelihood for farmers in the area. However, farmers identified inadequate production capital (98.89%) and limited availability of farmland (88.89%) as the constraints that negatively affect their production capacity. It was therefore recommended that farmers, particularly on their own, should judiciously pool productive resources together through a strengthened cooperative society group, as this would enhance bulk purchase/buying of cassava production inputs in the area. Moreover, effective agricultural policies and programmes should focus on granting farmers improved access to farmland and farm credit, as these would enable them to increase their production frontier and sustain the realization of huge returns over-time in the area.

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