ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN MAKARFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research assessed sugarcane production in Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 100 sugarcane farmers for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin, and regression analysis. The results revealed that the mean age of the sugarcane farmers was 39 years and majority (94%) of the farmers were married. However, 38% and 48% of the farmers had secondary and tertiary education respectively with an average of 6 years farming experience. The average household size of farmers was 9 persons. The total variable cost (TVC) was estimated to be N239,479.00. The gross margin was found to be N970,521.00/ha. Institutional support for sugarcane production was generally low. Major constraints associated with sugarcane production were inadequate capital and credit, pests and diseases, unavailability of fertilizer at affordable prices, unimproved varieties, and lack of standardized means of measurement. Based on the above findings, this research concluded that sugarcane production in the study area was profitable. It was recommended that the Government should provide adequate support in the form of subsidized inputs for sugarcane production to expand the profitability margin.