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.
Irish-Potato Farming in Plateau State, Nigeria: A Profitability Analysis
: Notable efforts are on-going to improve Irish potato production in Plateau State, the major producer of the crop in Nigeria. However, little attention has been given to the profitability of the enterprise while the determinants of profitability level are scanty in the literature. Thus, paper analyses the profitability of Irish-potato farming using primary data from 252 Irish potato farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria. Cost structure and profitability level of Irish potato farming were investigated using farm budgeting technique while probit regression model was used to examine the determinants of profitability level of Irish potato farms. Irish potato farming was found to be profitable with most (53.97%) farmers at high profitability level. The net farm income was ₦604, 245.81 per hectare with returns per naira spent of ₦1.70. The cost structure showed that costs of seeds, labour and fertilizer made up the largest share of the total cost of production per hectare. The probability that a farm will be at high profitability level was determined by agrochemicals, sex, farm size and labour at 1% level, respectively. It was concluded that increasing agrochemicals, reducing farm size and labour and being a male farmer will improve profitability level of Irish potato farms. This study recommended that increased use of agrochemicals and more efficient use of labour and farm land be encouraged among potato farmers increase their profitability level.
Economic Empowerment of Women
6 ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN 6.1 Socio – Economic Profile of the Respondents 6.2 Sources of Information 6.3 Reasons for Joining Kudumbashree 6.4 Involvement in and Utilization of the of the Programmes by the Members: 6.5 Financial Security Enjoyed by the Members 6.6 Economic Impact of the Strategies. 6.7 Variations in Assets Holding Before and After Membership 6.8 Agency wise Borrowings 6.9 Economic Empowerment of Women 6.10 Level of Economic Empowerment 6.11 Role of IGAs in Empowering Women 6.12 Impact of the Strategies on Empowering BPL Women. 6.13 Assets Holding Capacity of BPL 6.14 Level of Economic Empowerment of BPL women