ECONOMICS OF YAM PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analysed the economics of yam production and marketing in Taraba State. Specifically, the study described the socio-economic characteristics of yam producers and marketers, determined cost and returns of producers and marketers. A multi-stage purposive and simple random sampling was employed in the study. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, net farm income and regression analysis were used in analysing the data. The result of the analysis showed that the respondents have a mean age of 40 years for both producers and marketers. 77% were male for the producers while 66% were females for the marketer. 35% of the producers had a form of tertiary education, while 46% of the marketers had secondary education as the highest form of education. Both producers and marketers had N1.45 and 0.99 for wholesalers and retailers, respectively as the average rate of return on every naira invested while the producers had N1.25 indicating that yam production and marketing is highly profitable in Taraba State. The result of the simple regression indicates that seed, farm size, age and farming experience were significant at 5% while fertilizer and household size were significant at 10%. Major constraints faced by both producers and marketers include lack of capital, insecurity and poor road network amongst others. The study recommends that producers and marketers should form formidable cooperative to enhance possible assistance from the Governments, also Government should intervene by building more rural roads network for ease of accessibility for yam producers and marketer. Marketers can make use of local securities such as vigilantes and also seek government security officials both on the farm and at the market place.