Assessment of Pepper Production and Socio Economics of Pepper Farmers in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is focused pepper production and socio-economics of pepper producers in Delta State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 50 farmers out of the population of pepper farmers. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the relevant information. Data collected were analysed with help of descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis. The result of the study revealed that 44% of the pepper farmers fall within the age of 40-49 years and 54% had no formal education. The household size ranged from 6-10 persons, while about 72% of pepper farmers do not belong to any cooperative society. The pepper producers were mostly small scale farmers, and 50% of them have a farming experience of 6-10 years. The result gotten from the gross margin analysis revealed a total cost per acre of ₦61,300 and the returns per acre was ₦95,000. An average sampled farmer had a gross margin of ₦33,700. The rate of returns 1.6 shows that for every1.00 naira investment by pepper farmer a profit of ₦1.60 was realised. The study identified some constraints of pepper producers to includes, lack of access to credit, price instability, pest and diseases, lack of irrigation facilities among others. Based on the finding, the study recommends that farmers should be encouraged to form cooperative societies. More so, Delta state government should assist pepper farmers with farm inputs and credit with low interest rate and organise training for pepper farmers on modern practices.