Economics of Leafy Vegetable Production among Pastoralists in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Degradation of grassland and the environment restricting access to grazing resources increased pastoral vulnerability to drought and loss of livestock assets which pose threat to pastoral based livelihoods. In respond to these threats many pastoral communities diversify their livelihood to agro-pastoralism. This shift led to increased sedentarization of the pastoralists with many growing crops and vegetables commercially. Therefore, the study estimate the costs and returns to leafy vegetable production; and examine the technical efficiency level of the pastoralists' leafy vegetable farmers. A multistage sampling was used to select one hundred and twenty one (121) pastoralist leafy vegetable farmers as the sample for the study. Data were collected by means of structured interview schedule. Information was obtained on age, marital status, years of formal education, farming experience, land ownership, costs and revenue. Percentages, means and frequencies were the main descriptive statistical tools utilized. While the inferential statistics used is Stochastic Production Frontier. The study revealed that leafy vegetable production among pastoralist in the study area is profitable with mean net income of 23,379.47. Also, the technical efficiency ranges between 60.1% - 99.0% and the mean technical efficiency of the pooled sample is 86.9%. The study therefore concluded that vegetable farming among pastoralists is a profitable venture. Therefore it is recommended that farmers should be encouraged by giving inputs and incentives. They should also be trained by extension agents on proper farming techniques so as to increase their profit.