Maize (Zea mays, L.) - patnsukjournal.net

1 Economic Analysis of Maize Production in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria Onuk E. G1., Ogara I. M1, Yahaya H1 and Nannim N2. 1. Faculty of Agriculture, Shabu Lafia Campus, Nasarawa State University, Keffi. 2. Agric. Departmen, Mangu Local Government, Plateau State. Received 11th January, 2010, Accepted 29th May, 2010 Abstract The study assessed the economics of Maize production among farmers in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The instrument used for the research was the questionnaire.

2 A random sampling technique was adopted and a sample size of ninety (90) respondents was used. While descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and production function analysis were used as tools for analyzing data. The study revealed that Maize seed has established itself as a very significant component in Maize farming system, and determines the cropping pattern of the predominantly peasant farmers. The result of the production function analysis shows that the double log functional form had the best fit to the data, that is R2 = , meaning that 65% of the variation in the output of Maize was accounted for by the variables in the model.

3 All the variables in the model had positive regression coefficients indicating direct relationship between each of them and output of Maize . The result of the survey also indicated that men had more access to land than women, thus making them to be more involved in Maize production in the study area. However, both men and women have experience in Maize production and obtained planting materials mostly from previous harvest.

4 Finally, the study concluded by advocating adequate market with good stable prices for Maize farmers products that would enhance Maize production in the study area and the country at large. Keywords: Maize Production, Economic Analysis, peasant farmers. INTRODUCTION Maize (Zea mays, L.) is one of the main cereal crops of West Africa, and the most important cereal food crops in Nigeria. It comes after wheat and rice in terms of world importance.

5 Maize is not only a major cereal crop in the present day world but it was also one of the basic foods in America before the arrival of Christopher Columbus at the end of the 15th Century, and among the Indians in Mexico and Guatemala, and also among the Incus in Peru, Bolivia and Equator (Rouannent, 1987). Maize is becoming the miracle seed for Nigerias agricultural and economic development. It has established itself as a very significant component of the farming system and determines the cropping pattern of the predominantly peasant farmers, PAT June, 2010; 6 (1): 1-11 ISSN: 0794-5213 Online copy available at Publication of Nasarawa State University, Keffi especially in the Northern States (Ahmed, 1996).

6 Maize has been of great importance in providing food for man, feed for livestock and raw materials for some agro-based industries. Maize constitutes a stable food in many regions of the world. It is a basic stable for large population groups particularly in developing countries (FAO and ILO, 1997). Wikipedia (2006), reported that Maize is hydrolyzed and enzymatically treated to produce syrups, particularly high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener and in some cases fermented and distilled to produce grain alcohol which is traditionally the source of bourbon whisky.

7 Sweet corn is a genetic variation that is high in sugars and low in starch that is served like a vegetable. Another common food made from Maize is corn flakes. Maize is used as meal pap in Africa, corn bread is made from Maize . Maize is still an important model organism for genetic and develops mental biology to date. Doebley (1994), reported that Maize can be boiled or roasted on the cob, the grains can be cooked fresh or dry and the dry grain can be made into pop corn (guguru) and eaten with roasted groundnuts.

8 Maize is one of the most abundant food crops in Nigeria. About 80% is consumed by man and animals while 20% is utilized in variety of industries processes for production of starch, oil high fructose, corn sweetener, ethanol, cereal and alkaline. Maize consists of 71% starch, 9% protein and 4% oil on a dry weight basis. Despite the economic importance of Maize to the teeming populace in Nigeria, it has not been produced to meet food and industrial needs of the country.

9 This could be attributed to low productivity from Maize farms or that farmers have not adopted improved technologies for Maize production. These factors play a major role in the adoption process. Now the question is: what are the factors influencing Maize production? The general objective of the study is to examine the economics of Maize production in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Specific objectives are to: (i) describe the socio-economic characteristics of Maize farmers in the study area (ii) determine the inputs and outputs level in Maize production in the study area.

10 (iii) estimate the costs and returns associated with Maize production in the study area. (iv) determine resource-use effience in Maize production (v) identify the constraints to Maize production in the study area. PAT 2010; 6 (1): 1-11: ISSN: 0794-5213; Onuk et al: Economic Analysis of Maize Production . 2 METHODOLOGY The study was conducted in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Mangu Local Government Area has nine (9) districts namely; Mangu, Panyam, Gindiri, Langai, Mangun, Kerang, Ampang, Kombum, and Pushit.