COCOYAM PRODUCTION BEYOND SUBSISTENCE: DOES IT HAVE INCOME INCREASING CAPACITY FOR POVERTY REDUCTION IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA?

The study examined the determinants of cocoyam production and profitability in some selected local government areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Data was collected through well structured pretested questionnaire from 120 respondents through random sampling technique. The methods of analysis were descriptive statistics, gross margin, net returns, benefit cost ratio and rate of return ratio analyses and the ordinary least square (OLS) were used to estimate the parameters of the production function and the profitability of cocoyam production in the study area. The result showed that majority of the farmers was still in their active age and female farmers dominated (85%). The level of illiteracy was high among the respondents as about 60.8% had no formal education while 26.7%, 10.8% and 1.7% had primary, secondary and tertiary education respectively. Majority (55.8%) of the respondents were relatively experienced. Respondents are predominantly small scale farmers as 69.2% reported farm size of less than a hectare. The regression result showed that area under cocoyam production, labour, material inputs, age of cocoyam and farming experience were the major factors contributing positively to increase farm output and income. Cocoyam production was profitable in the study area as showed in the gross margin, net returns, benefit cost ratio and the rate of return ratio estimated as N 10,268.57, N 10,083.65, 1.81 and 0.81 respectively. It is recommended that policies aimed at encouraging new entrants to cultivate cocoyam production for commercialization and the experienced ones to remain in farming is strictly designed and implemented.

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