Profitability of organically produced fluted pumpkin among small holder farmers in Anambra State.

Abstract

Organic agriculture (OA) is rarely practiced, despite its numerous advantages to human and environment. Evidence of profitability has been spotted as potential instrument for adoption. Although few studies have shown (OA) to be profitable, evidence of its profitability indices that will increase adoption is scarce. Thus, the profitability oforganically produced fluted pumpkin in Anambra State was examined. Multistage sampling technique was used. Ogbaru, Anambra west, Ihiala, Awka South, Idemili North and Anaocha Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected due to high dominance of fluted pumpkin organic farmers. Three villages were then randomly selected from each LGA. Snowball sampling was then used to select ten (10) organic pumpkin farmers, since the list of these farmers were not available. Total of thirty (30) farmers were sampled per LGA, in all, one hundred and eighty (180) were sampled.Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on farmers’ characteristics, farm enterprises and farmers’ challenges.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin (gm), budgetary analysis and 5-point likert scale.Majority of the farmers were female (84.4%) with an average age of 51years and were mostly married (91.1%). About (41.1%) had primary education, majority (85%) belong to cooperative society and only (78.3%) had contact with extension agent. The average household size was 6 persons and the average farm size is 0.52ha. The revenue from organic fluted pumpkin was N141902.00, the total variable cost and fixed cost were N55436.92 and N11815.23 respectively. The gross margin was N86465.09, while the net return was N74649.86. The profitability index and return on investment were 2.56 and 1.11 respectively. Inadequate finance, high cost of seeds, inadequate information and high cost of manure were some of the challenges of farms. Active participation in cooperatives is recommended to reduce the challenges of farmers and increase profitability