Economics of Maize (Zea mays) Production In Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated economics of maize (Zea mays) production in Igabi Local Government Area ofKaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of this research study were set out to: examine the socio-economicor demographic characteristics of sampled maize farmers; evaluate the costs and returns of maize production; identifythe factors that influence gross income from maize (Zea mays) production; examine the major constraints andrecommend solutions to problems encountered in maize (Zea mays) production in the area of study. A simple randomsampling technique adopted and was used in selecting one hundred (100) maize farmers in the area of study. Data wereanalyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique, financial analysis, and multiple regression technique.The analysis of farm budgetary technique shows and reveals that maize (Zea mays) production in the area of study is aprofitable enterprise with a gross margin of N 64,500, and net farm income (NFI) of N 61,700.The coefficient of grossratio was 0.49; this implies that 49% of gross income of maize went to off-set total farm costs. Returns on nairainvestment (RNI) was 1.06. This implies that for every N1.00 invested by farmers in maize production, N1.06K istheir profit. The results of multiple regression analysis shows that the coefficients of land (area planted), hired labour;family labour; expenses on seeds, chemical and insecticide; fertilizer inputs and income from other enterprises werepositive, which is also significant at probability level measured at P