Profitability of yam production in southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Yam production is a component of farming activities by most farmers in the Southern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. However, many farmers do not seem to find farming a financially rewarding exercise. This study therefore aimed to find out the profit margin of yam production by farmers in this zone. A survey of farmers’ fields was carried out in 2013 in five major yam producing areas in Nigeria, namely; Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger Nassarawa States and Abuja Federal Capital Territory. Fifty four (54) respondents were recruited into the study sample using structured questionnaire and interview method. The farmers cultivated mainly Dioscorea rotundata Poir (white or guinea yam) for commercial purposes while D. alata L. (water yam), D. cayenensis Lam (yellow yam), D. dumetorum Kunth (bitter yam) and D. bulbifera L. (aerial yam) are intercropped with D. rotundata for home consumption only. Yam production includes cultural operations such as heap preparation, staking and weed control. Some of the major constraints identified by the farmers were high cost of input such as planting materials (yam seed or setts), unreliable source of credit and unpredictable weather conditions. Net income benefit analysis revealed a positive return per hectare of land under yam production. The production of yam on one hectare of farm field will translate to a net profit of ₦450,000.00 equivalent to US $2,000.00. It was recommended that yam production could be a financially profitable endeavor if cost-reducing steps are engaged.

Keywords: Net-income, yam, production, Savanna, Nigeria.