Effects of Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Characteristics on the Profitability of Small-Scale Plantain Farming in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State

Abstract

The study examined effects of Nigeria’s socio- economic characteristics on the profitability of small-scale plantain farming in Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State. A total of 60 farmers were selected and interviewed using structured questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics, cost and return, and multiple regression analyses were employed to achieve the objectives. Results indicated that plantain venture was viable and profitable. The Gross Profit was N166, 000 while the net profit was N129, 250. The Total Variable Cost was N114, 000 while the Total Fixed Cost was N36, 750, which were 75.62% and 24.38% of Total Cost of N150, 750, respectively. The Profitability Index of 1.86 and Return on every N1 invested of 86 kobo, confirmed the viability of the enterprise. The number of years spent in school, age, family size and farm size were the major socio-economic factors affecting the production of plantains as they were significant at 5% LOS. The major agronomic practice was mixed farming (90%) against sole cropping (10%). The dominant constraints of the farmers were; poor transportation and bad roads, high cost of labour, inadequate finance and theft. It was therefore recommended that the provision of good roads and transportation, adequate financial support for the farmers, and orderly marketing of the produces, so as to enhance the performance of the farmers. The use of cooperative societies by these plantain farmers was strongly advocated to overcome some of these problems.