DETERMINANTS OF INPUTS-OUTPUT RELATIONSHIP OF YAM PRODUCTION IN GBOYIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The determinants of input- output relationship of yam production was carried out in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State with the aim of having better understanding of relationship between the inputs and output of yam. Multistage sampling techniques were used for the study. A total number of 140 respondents were randomly selected from four villages. Questionnaires were administered to the respondents by interview method and the data collected were analysed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results of the study showed that both males and females are involved in yam production in the study area, age between 21-70 years, married with household size of 1- 10 members with the highest faming experience of 1- 10 years and farm size of 1- 5 hectares. Majority had formal education (primary, secondary and tertiary education) and had no access to loans. The coefficient of both fertilizer and farm size were significant at (P< 0.001), labour at (P< 0.05) while the coefficient of seed was significant at (P< 0.10) probability level, thus played crucial roles in determining yam output. The problems facing yam production in the study area are inadequate capital, high cost of inputs, incidence of pests and diseases, inadequate planting materials, inadequate storage facilities, poor soil facility, poor produce price, poor transportation facilities, inadequate extension services, inadequate farmland and inaccessibility to farm inputs. The study conclude that farm inputs such as planting materials (yam miniset and seed yam), fertilizers and insecticides etc should be made available by the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at a subsidized rate to the farmers. Also, farmers should come together and form cooperative societies where they will pool their resources together for members to obtain loans at very low interest rates to finance and expand their output.

Keywords

• determinants
• multistage sampling
• farmers
• input-output
• coefficient