ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF PESTS AND DISEASES ON SMALL SCALE MAIZE PRODUCERS

ABSTRACT

The study examined the economic analysis of effects of pests and disease on small scale maize producers in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo state. The objectives of this research work are to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the cost and return of maize production and also the factors that influence profitability due to pests and disease on maize production in the study area and necessary recommendation were made. A total of 100 farmers were randomly selected and questionnaires were administered to them. 

The primary data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The profitability was determined using gross margin analysis. It was found that about 66% of the respondents were between the productive age group of 36-60 years and about 4% had no formal education; the major source of income was from personal savings. The gross margin was N89, 230.00 per hectare, profit of ₦83, 020.00, benefit cost ratio of 1.95 which shows that maize production is a profitable business to engage in this study area. The result of the regression analysis revealed that coefficients of source of income, farm years of experience, maize yield threaten, discouragement were positively and statistically significant. 

Since farmers' constraints centered on lack of capital as well as pest and disease infestation, it was recommended that government should grant farmers loan with minimum collateral for them to be able to buy more capital inputs and increase farm size.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents              Page

Title page1

Certification2

Dedication3

Acknowledgements4

Table of contents5

List of Figures6

List of Tables7

Abstract8

CHAPTER ONE

1.0INTRODUCTION10

1.1Statement of problem11

1.2Research questions12

1.3Objectives of the study12

1.4Hypothesis of the study12

1.5Justification of the study12

CHAPTER TWO

2.0LITERATURE REVIEW13

2.1Maize farming production and cost of production13

2.2Density of planting14

2.3Maize production constraints14

2.3.1Low soil fertility14

2.3.2Drought14

2.4Factors influencing maize production at household level15

2.4.1Access to credit, extension agents and hired labor15

2.5Pests and diseases of maize15

2.6Demographical characteristics of small scale farmer production17

2.7Maize production with regards to other cereal crops like rice, wheat, sorghum e.t.c 18

2.8Maize production profile in Akinyele local government18

CHAPTER THREE

3.0METHODOLOGY20

3.1The study area20

3.2The population of the study;20

3.3The Sample size and sampling procedure;21

3.4Sources of data and instrument for data collection;21

3.5Method of data analysis;21

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS25

4.1Socio economics characteristics25

4.1.1Gender distribution of respondents26

4.1.2Religion distribution of respondents26

4.1.3Age of respondents26

4.1.4Marital status of the respondents27

4.1.5 Educational level of the respondents27

4.1.6 Primary occupation of the respondents28

4.1.7 Household size of the respondents29

4.1.8 Farming years experience of the respondents29

4.1.9 Employment type of the respondents30

4.1.10 Source of income of the respondents30

4.2Regression Analysis 31

4.2.1 Model summary31

4.2.2 Hypothesis testing31

4.2.3 Regression results and interpretation32

4.3Cost and Return Analysis 35

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION36

5.1Summary36

5.2Conclusion36

5.3Recommendation36

REFERENCES38

APPENDIX40

                                         

LISTS OF TABLES

                 Table Page

Gender distribution of respondents25

Religion distribution of respondents26

Age distribution of respondents26

Marital status distribution of respondents27

Educational level distribution of respondents28

Primary occupation distribution of respondents28

House hold size distribution of respondents29

Farming years of experience distribution of respondents30

Type of employment distribution of respondents30

Source of income distribution of respondents31

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) table32

Co-efficient of regression result34

Cost and return analysis 36