DETERMINANTS OF YIELD AND PROFITABILITY OF RAINFED CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L.) PRODUCTION IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA.

Isibor, C.A., Nkamigbo, D.C., Adejoh, S.O. &Agbanaje, C. E.

ABSTRACT

The study examined the determinants of yield and profitability of rain fed cucumber production in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically it described socioeconomic characteristics, determinants of yield and profitability, socioeconomic characteristics that influences yield and profitability in the study area. Multistage sampling and random techniques were used to select two agricultural zones, 4 LGAs, 8 communities and 160 respondents (farmers) for the study. Primary data were collected by means of structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means, multiple regression and probit analysis. Findings from socioeconomic characteristics shows that much number of young and strong male folks dominated the production because of its duration for maturity and monetary value. The result of probit regression model showed that cost of seed, educational status, farm size and age were the determinants of yield and profitability. The result of multiple regression analyses showed that out of the nine independent variables included in the model, cost of fertilizer, cost of agro-chemicals, cost of seed, farm size and age showed positive and significant effects on rain-fed cucumber yield and revenue at 1% and 5% levels of probability. The overall profitability showed that rain fed cucumber production is profitable venture. Agrochemicals for control of diseases should be subsidized by relevant authorities for easy access to rain fed cucumber farmers and modern day storage facilities should be made available and readily affordable these farmers were recommended.

Keywords: Yield, Determinants, Rainfed Cucumber