Profitability of ‘egusi’ melon ( Citrullus lanatus Thunb. Mansf ) production under sole and mixed cropping systems in Kogi state, Nigeria

摘要

The study assessed the profitability of ‘egusi’ melon ( Citrullus lanatus Thunb. Mansf ) under sole and intercropping systems in Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State. Primary data were used for the investigation. The primary data were obtained through the use of questionnaire in Okehi LGA. 240 farmers were purposively sampled and 120 were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive statistics and net farm income analysis were employed in the analysis of the data. The result showed that the average net farm income per hectare for sole melon, melon in 2, 3, and 4 crops mixture were N1,328.69, N915.77, N887.27 and N414.57 respectively. The total gross return per hectare for melon (from the pooled data) averaged N12.638.61 while the total cost of production was N8, 838.74 on the average. The total net farm income per hectare for both sole and mixed (pooled data) was N3, 799 on the average, implying that ‘egusi’ melon production is profitable in the area. Based on the findings, it was recommended that farmers in the area should continue to focus more attention on sole melon production. Also the Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) in the state should intensify melon production awareness and mobilize the local industries for ‘egusi’ melon processing and extraction of the oil for better utilization in the area.