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Global Research Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences Vol.3(4) pp.324 –329 October 2012.
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/?a=journal&id=grjabs
Copyright ©2012 Global Research Journals
Full length Research.
A Study on Relative Profitability of Sole and Mixed Cropping Enterprises among Smallholder Irrigation Farmers in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands of Northeastern Nigeria
BY
R.Y., Abdulsalam1, P.V., Kwaghe2 and A.I., Azare3
1Notore Chemical Industries, Nigeria Limited; arkays066@yahoo.com
2Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria; pkwaghe@gmail.com
3Notore Chemical Industries, Nigeria Limited; idrisazare@yahoo.com
Corresponding Author’s E-mail
Abstract
Farmers have often practiced different cropping systems for various reasons, ranging from increased incomes, insurances against crop failures to other simple reasons like skill. This study compared the relative profitability of sole and mixed cropping enterprises among small holder irrigation farmers in the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands of Northeastern Nigeria. Data on the inputs and outputs of the various enterprises studied were collected by the use of structured questionnaires administered to 200 smallholder irrigation farmers practicing two main irrigation systems. The data were analysed using the farm budgetary techniques to determine the profitability of the various cropping enterprises practiced. Though, the findings revealed that all the irrigated cropping enterprises analysed were profitable, a further comparison of the two dominant cropping systems revealed that mixed cropping enterprises were more profitable. However, sole pepper enterprise recording the highest net farm income of N404,35., a revenue cost ratio of 3.24 and rate of return of 224%. The study further showed that mixed enterprises which were all vegetable based, were generally more profitable compared to the sole enterprises. The most profitable among the mixed enterprises is the mixture that comprised of four vegetable crops and it recorded a return to investment of N1.87 for every Naira invested in the enterprise. With their abundant natural resources, the wetlands no doubt offer opportunities for sustainable smallholder irrigation development, hence the study suggest that farmers in the area should form cooperative groups so as to fully benefit from the various incentives and projects provided by both government and nongovernmental organizations.
Key words: Wetlands, Profitability, smallholder, farmers, enterprises, irrigation.