Economic Analysis of Irrigated Irish Potato Production in Plateau State
The study examined the economics of irrigated Irish potato production in Plateau State. A multistage sampling technique using purposive and systematic random sampling was used to obtain data from a sample size of 120 respondents using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Gross Margin Analysis, Benefit –Cost Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis. Results reveals that majority of the farmers were educated (64.17%) adults (58.33%) with long years (97%) of experience in Irish potato irrigation farming, and owned an average of 0.7 hectares of irrigated farm land each. Cost and Return analysis revealed that costs of seeds, labor and chemical fertilizers made up the highest (89.40%) portion of the average total variable cost of production. Results also revealed that irrigated Irish potato production in Plateau State is a profitably lucrative enterprise with a robust economic viability as shown by values  of Gross Margin ( N 655,637.88), benefit–Cost Ratio (2.64) and Sensitivity Analysis ratio (2.16). The study recommends expansion in irrigated Irish potato farm lands in addition to adoption of technologies that will minimize cost of seeds, labor and chemical fertilizers. Keywords: Gross Margin, Benefit, Cost, Sensitivity, Profitability.
DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDED IRISH POTATO ( Solanum tuberosum ) PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
The study assessed the determinants of adoption of recommended Irish Potato production technologies by small scale farmers in northern agricultural zone of Plateau State. A total of 150 farmers were drawn through multistage sampling procedure for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The mean age of the respondents was 45 years. Most respondents (55.3%) were female, implying that women invested more into Irish potato production than their male counterpart. A vast majority (98%) of the respondents had some form of education qualification in the study area. The mean years of farming experience was 23 years, with mean household size of 9 persons. Farmers had mean total land size of 3.2 hectares and mean of 1.7 hectares of farm land allocated for Irish potato farming. The mean annual income of farmers was estimated at N 895,800. The predictors that significantly determined the adoption of recommended Irish potato production technologies were age, number of extension contacts and level of education. It was recommended that deliberate and consistent intensification and diversification of Nigeria’s public extension is pertinent be engaged in by stakeholders in the private sector and government.
Mineral element analyses of various tropical forages in Guatemala and their relationship to soil concentrations
Determination de la composition minerale de differents fourrages dans 3 regions d'elevage du Guatemala et etude des relations entre la chimie des sols et la composition minerale des fourrages