Economics of irrigation farming in Nigeria: a case study of tomato based farming in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the production of tomato based farming households under small–scale irrigation in Sokoto State. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to collect data from 120 respondents from twenty villages in the four local government areas that make up the study area. Descriptive statistics, farm budgetting, and farm production models were the analytical tools employed in this study. Farming households obtained an average net income of N77,599.80/ha with the gross margin of N87,543.00/ha, with a rate of return to investment greater than hundred percent. Returns to owner's labour and management in the area is N15,924.50/ha There are clear indications that small-scale tomato production in the area was profitable. Small scale irrigation system has great potential to increase agricultural production of farm families, if efforts are made for their wide spread adoption and if constrains identified in this study were addressed.

Keywords: tomato based farming, large scale irrigation, small scale irrigation, fadama

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 6 2005: 103-110