ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZER USE IN MAIZE PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

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ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZER USE IN MAIZE PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

Abstract:

The main objectives of this study are to determine the main factors affecting crop choice and fertilizer use decisions among the farmers in Northern Guinea Savanna (NGS) and to estimate the on-station response of maize to N, P and K fertilization. In doing so, the position of maize in the cropping system and how such position would be affected by fertilizer subsidy withdrawal was investigated. Input-output data were collected from 50 farm households made up of 84 farmers selected at random in five villages selected purposely from Kaduna and Katsina states in 1990 and 1991 cropping seasons. The primary information were gathered through the use of questionnaires and interviews. The primary data were supplemented with secondary data while the data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression, correlation, linear and parametric linear programming methods. The result of the crop choice factors shows that rainfall, soil fertility, availability and cost of inputs, the need for self-sufficiency in food and cash requirements were the main factors affecting crop choice and combinations. Maize was produced more in a situation where the farmer’s goal was to obtain more cash income while sorghum was produced more where the main aim was to feed the family. Maize, however, serve the dual roles of being a food and a vii ______________ Abstract cash crop and therefore it is the dominant crop in terms of hectarage cultivated and income earned. Fertiliser use decisions were affected by the types available and crops grown. Inorganic fertilizers were used along with the organic fertilizers in most fields but preferential application was given to inorganic fertilizers especially on maize crop. The on-station maize response analyses showed that at the three test sites, the technical optimum levels of N- were lower than the recommended rate of 120kg N/ha. However, the economic optima shows that the recommendation is still valid. In the case of phosphorus response, except in Samaru, the technical and economic optima were lower but closes to the recommended rate of 60kg P205/ha. In the case of potassium response, the technical optima were about the same level with the recommended rate of 60kg K2O/ha. However, in all the test sites, the economic optima exceeded the rate and were indeed close to 90 kg/ha and thus, it was suggested that the recommendation should be increased to 90kg K2O/ha. This was confirmed when all the three elements were varied simultaneously as the maximur profit was obtained at the 150-60-90 kg/ha of N, P and K. The farm setup shows that 70 crop types were grown in a 98 different combinations in the zone. Out of the crop types, maize and sorghum were dominant and were grown in and 16 different combinations respectively. The net Earn viii Abstract income from the representative farm improved from an unplanned farm setup of N17,780 to N25,502 when the farm was planned. Under a larger farm size, production activities were limited by family labour in the months of June, July and August when farm labour demands were at peak. In terms of nutrient-crop-price ratios, except for P, the ratios for N and K were lower than 2:1 suggested tor efficient uses of fertilizer on crops. The ratios, however improved considerably when fertilizer prices were Increased indicating that, reduction in fertilizer subsidy levels wil] enhance efficiency of fertilizers use on maize in the zone. Further analysis shows that the improved efficiency Leads sole maize cropping system and production of mainly

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZER USE IN MAIZE PRODUCTION IN THE NORTHERN GUINEA SAVANNA OF NIGERIA

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