COWPEA FARMING IN MASHEGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the economics and sustainability of cowpea farming among small scale farmers in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression model, resource use efficiency ratio and returns to scale index, as well as, costs and returns measures were employed for data analysis. The descriptive and content analysis revealed that cowpea production in the study area was male gender bias given that 93% of the respondents were men. About 25.4% were not educated, while 76.1 % had above 5 years farming experience. Results from the regression analysis model indicated that 4 variables, namely; farm size, labour, fertilizer and household size were positive significant determinants of cowpea output at 1% probability level each. The costs and returns analysis puts the average gross margin at N73,991 per hectare, implying that cowpea production was profitable and sustainable. The estimated elasticity of 1.1031 connotes increasing returns to scale. This indicates that a unit increase in the factors used in the production will lead to a corresponding increment of cowpea output by 1.1% .The study concluded that cowpea production in the study area was profitable and sustainable but resources were not efficiently utilized. In-spite of this, cultivation of cowpea in the study area has the potentials for enhancing sustainable agricultural development and propelling inclusive growth in the country, given its ability to remain economically viable. Against this background, it was recommended that Niger State Government, through the Extension Component of the State Agricultural Mechanization and Development Authority (NAMDA) promote efficient use of inputs amongst cowpea farmers in the study area with the view to ensuring profitable, sustainable cowpea production and un-locking cowpea inclusive growth potentials