Journal of Applied Science Studies - Ozean Publications

Ozean Journal of Applied Sciences 1(1), 2008
Average cost of irrigation
Maintenance of Irrigation Machine Pumps (N)
Hiring of irrigation pumps (N)
Cost of land (N)
Total cost (TVC + TFC) (ha)
Cost of garlic sold (bag)
Gross income (GI) (ha)
Net farm income (GI – TVC – TFC) (ha)
265.863
639.81
1,164.81
32,640.78
114,315.36
9,370.00
166,130.10
51,814.74
0.23
0.56
1.02
28.55
Table 5. Estimated cost and return analysis for garlic production in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State,
Nigeria
Problems Encountered in Garlic Production
The result in Table 6 reveals that the major problems emphasized by the respondents include high cost of input like
fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides (30%). About 32% of the respondents complained of high cost of hiring land for
irrigation farming and inadequate capital (20%) to expand farm production and 10% complained of low quality of
garlic seeds. Another major area of concern is post harvest problems, the respondent (64%) complained of poor
storage facilities and 36% of the respondent complained of poor marketing. This is as a result of low prices and
annual fluctuation in prices due to force of demand and supply.
Production stage Number of respondents Percentage
High cost of input
Land acquisition
Insufficient capital
Uncertified seeds
Inadequate irrigation facilities
15
16
10
5
4
30
32
20
10
8
Total 50 100
Post harvest
Poor storage facilities
Poor marketing
32
18
64
36
50 100
Table 6. Main problems encountered in garlic production in the study area.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
In this study, the economic profitability of garlic production, resource –use efficiency and problems associated with
garlic production were determined. The result of this study indicates that farmers were faced with constraints but in
spite these they were able to make profit of N51,814.74/ha as net farm income.The study also found that labour,
chemicals and land were over utilized for garlic production with efficiency ratios greater than one (5.3, 1.9 and 2.69)
while, seed and fertilizer were underutilized in garlic production with efficiency ratios of less than one (0.167 and
0.60). The sum of the elasticities indicates a decreasing return to scale (0.90). The study identified major constraints
in garlic production to include inadequate fertilizers, chemicals, and storage and transportation facilities.
The following recommendations were suggested so as to increase farmers output in the study area.
1. Government agencies should make timely distribution of fertilizers to farmers at affordable prices.
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