Economics of Cocoyam Production and Marketing in Ekiti East Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Nigeria

摘要

This examined the economics of producing cocoyam in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State. It highlights the importance of cocoyam production in alleviating the problem of food insecurity, income generation and attendance poverty facing the Nigeria economy. It also, identified the various constraints experienced by farmers during the process of production. One hundred and twenty farmers were randomly, sampled from 6 villages that were randomly selected in the LGA, they are namely; IIasa, IKun, Aroromi, Eda isinbode and Omuo Eiti. The analysis of the result showed that there was significant relationship, between income accruing from the sales of cocoyam output and socio- economic characteristics of the respondents, with an exception of household size. This may be due to urban drift of labour. About 52.5% of the respondents were within the age range of 21-Oyrs, an indication that farmers were still in their active age. It was also, observed form the result that men were actively involved in cocoyam production than the women. While, some of the farmers produce for domestic consumption others produce for commercial purpose, however, some produce for both purposes. The average educational level of the respondents is primary education with an average household size of 5. The study revealed that cocoyam production was profitable in the study area The cost and return analysis showed that cocoyam production was profitable in the study area. The cost and return analysis showed an annual average of 9,501 bags produced in one planting season and each bag of 50 kg sold at N500.