Economics of Irrigation Farming Around River Niger Bank in Edu Local Government Area Of Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the Economics of Irrigation Farming around river Niger bank in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State. Data was collected from 70 farmers who were randomly selected from purposively selected area, using structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Gross Margin and Production Function Analysis. The result of the analysis shows that majority of the farmers (91%) were within the age range of 30 - 50 years. The cost and returns analysis showed a high rate of positive returns; the gross margin estimated was N134,505.59. The measurement of resource use efficiency showed that only purchased inputs were relatively efficiently utilized. The returns to scale of 1.05 also showed an increasing return to scale. However, some of the constraints to irrigation farming include flooding, inadequate capital, pest and diseases, inadequate infrastructure, lack of extension education, etc. It was recommended that farmers should form cooperatives, extension education should be provided to the farmers.