OPTIMUM FARM PLANTS FOR FADAMA FARMS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study sought to determine the optimal farm plan for Fadama farms in Niger State, Nigeria. a Random sampling of 105 Fadama farm families were interviewed using structured Questionnaires, though only ninety eight were found usable from the site of the study at the end of the survey. Most of the respondents (95%) were males and were within the ages groups of 21 to 50 years (75%). Half of the respondents in the study area had no formal education. 70% of the respondents were, however, married couples with family sizes of eight (8). They result of the linear programming analysis shows that only Rice Enterprise should be carried out on a 0.66ha of land, as this will yield an optimal return of N43,743.4/ha. Capital was the most limiting resource in the study area. Therefore farm families engaged in other enterprises (Sugarcane, Tomato/Pepper mixture and Cassava/Sweet Potato mixture) could equally divert their resources to the Production of Rice. It was recommended that more Land resources be allocated to Rive Production in the study area.