EVALUATION OF ORANGE-FLESHED SWEET POTATOES PRODUCTION ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL FARMERS IN OFFA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes production on the livelihood of Rural Farmers in Offa LGA of Kwara State was examined in this study. The study data was collected using a structured questionnaire, where (96) questionnaires were shared to the sampled respondents from eight (8) villages in the study area. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentage, tables) and inferential statistics (Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression analysis, probit model analysis and farm budgeting tool. The result of the analysis revealed that majority (59.4%) of the

respondent were between the age of 46 – 55 years of age, 93.8% were male, 96.9% were married and 86.5% of the respondents had a house size ranging from 6–15 persons. In terms of education, majority (68.8%) of the respondents had formal education,(53.1%) of the respondents had experience ranging from 11–20 years, 94.8% of the respondents had access to extension contact, while 83.3% had access to credit. Gross margin analysis revealed OFSP net farm income of ₦132,875 with a

profitability ratio of 3.47 and efficiency ratio of 4.47. The OLS analysis revealed that age, education, marital status and experience had positive coefficients and statistically

significant to OFSP production output, while probit model analysis revealed that household size, farm size and OFSP output had significant effect on the livelihood of

OFSP farmers in the study area. The major constraints affecting OFSP production were

unavailability of finance (90.6%), high cost of hired labour(90.6%), problem of

processing equipment (85.4%) among others ranking 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. In

conclusion, OFSP production is profitable in the study area, while household size, farm size and output had positive effect on farmers’ livelihood. It was therefore

recommended that Government should help informulating policy that will attract

investors into OFSP farming, facilitate credit acquisition from financial institution,

provision of processing facilities and mechanized farming system accessible to OFSP farmers.