Economics Analyses Of Cassava Production Among Smallholders Farmers In Ondo, Nigeria

                                                           ABSTRACT

The study examined the economic analysis of cassava production among smallholder farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine the socio-economic characteristics of the cassava producers, determine the factors influencing the level of profitability accruable to the cassava producers, determine the cost and returns of cassava production, also to identify the major challenges facing the cassava producers. Primary data were collected from ninety (90) cassava producers using a structured questionnaire.The analytical tools used include: descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), profitability analysis and gross margin analysis.

 The study revealed among others that: 61% of cassava producers fell within the active ages of 20 and 50 years. Also, the majority of the cassava producers are men (87.8%) and the women are very few (12.2%). The study further showed that 81.1% are married, 2% are divorced and10% of them are widowers. The study also revealed that 52.2% of the respondents had no formal education.

   The net return for cassava producers in the study area per annum was N18,010,735 with an average income of N200,119.28  per producer. This shows that cassava production is profitable