Net Farm Income Analysis of Maize Production in Gwagwalada Area Council of Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined net farm income of maize production in Gwagwalada Area Council of Federal Capital Territory. The specific objectives are to: identify the socio-economic characteristics of maize farmers in the study area, evaluate the costs and returns of maize production in the study area, and evaluate factors affecting net farm income of maize production in the study area. A simple random sampling technique was used to obtain samples of 120 maize farmers. Primary data were used for this study. The data were collected using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique and econometric multiple regression analysis. The result shows that 95 percent of sampled farmers are males. About 83 percent of sampled maize farmer’s age is less than 55 year, while, 96 percent are married. Econometric multiple regression analysis revealed that marital status; level of education and F-value were significant at 1% probability level. The Coefficient of Multiple Determinations implies that 22.3% of the independent variables included in the model jointly explain the variations in dependent variable. Estimated costs and returns analysis revealed a net farm income of N937, 656 per annum which shows that maize production in the study area is profitable. From the findings, it is suggested that agricultural extension agents should educate farmers on the need to be involved in agricultural activities especially on technologies that can improve maize production.